India were dismounted from the high horse of success by a determined Pakistan, who cantered to a thumping six-wicket victory and took a 1-0 lead in the two-match one-day cricket series in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

The comprehensive defeat, which came barely three days after capping a 5-1 drubbing of England [Images], left India looking mediocre and also exposed their vulnerability in both batting and bowling.

After scampering to 197 all out in 50 overs, Rahul Dravid's [Images] men watched helplessly as their archrivals surpassed the modest target in 48.3 overs, riding on a splendid 71 not out by Younis Khan.

As Kamran Akmal (24 not out) hit the winning runs, a four off S Sreesanth [Images], the large number of Pakistani supporters at the Zayed Stadium erupted in joy, waiting as they have been since the last six years to see their team tame India in the desert kingdom.

A Pakistan victory was never in doubt once captain Inzamam-ul Haq (40) and Younis, his deputy, got together to string an 86-run partnership.

Inzamam struck four fours in his 73-ball knock while Younis, the perennial Indian nemesis, slammed four fours and a six off 96 balls to assert once again Pakistan's superiority over India at neutral venues.

That India came into the match on the back of 17 wins and just five defeats counted for little as Pakistan showed it was performance on the day that mattered and not previous glories.

With the next match slated for tomorrow (Wednesday), the Indians will have hardly any time to recoup and ensure they do not sign off what has otherwise been a remarkable season on a losing note.

Chasing the modest target, Pakistan were off to a steady start with openers Shoaib Malik [Images] and Imran Farhat [Images] milking runs at will against a wayward Indian new ball attack.

Farhat picked Pathan for special treatment, slamming the left-hander for three fours in an over to throw him completely out of gear.

But Sreesanth worked up a good pace and was rewarded when he had Malik caught by Dravid in the slips for 12 to give India their first breakthrough and reduce Pakistan to 42 for one.

Ajit Agarkar [Images] (2/33) then removed Farhat with a perfect yorker that shattered the stumps of the batsman. Farhat made 30 off 41 balls with the help of five fours.

India squandered a golden opportunity to dismiss Younis Khan when an off-colour Pathan failed to flick the ball on to the stumps after receiving an accurate throw from Yuvraj Singh [Images] from point, the batsman being yards away from the crease.

Thriving on the chance, Younis took the Pakistani score to 146 before Inzamam was dismissed, caught by Venugopala Rao off Ramesh Powar [Images] in the 37th over.

But by then Pakistan were already heading towards victory, needing just 52 runs for victory in 13 overs.

Pakistan lost Mohammad Yousuf [Images] just three runs later but India's fate was already sealed.

India innings

India appeared a pale shadow of its recent regal self, unable to come to terms with either the conditions or the opposition.

There were no signs of their recent inspired performances as they were bowled out below the 200-run mark in exactly 50 overs.

Had it not been for Venugopal Rao (61 not out) and Suresh Raina, who rescued the team from a pathetic 72 for 4, the Indians would have cut a sorry figure.