Pakistan's Salman Butt celebrates after completing his century against India during their third one-day international cricket match in Kanpur yesterday. - REUTERS

KANPUR, India (Reuters):

India clinched a 46-run win in the third one-day international against Pakistan yesterday, despite a career-best 129 from Salman Butt, to take a 2-1 lead in the five-game series.

Indian left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh underlined his form with a neatly paced 77 to guide India to 294 for six before dismissing Pakistan for 248 in 47.2 overs on a slow pitch.

Yuvraj, who also took a wicket and ran out Mohammad Yousuf, raised 100 runs from 92 balls with skipper Mahendra Dhoni (49) and both attacked the inconsistent Pakistani bowling after Saurav Ganguly (39), dropped first ball, and Sachin Tendulkar (29) put on a breezy 68 runs for the first wicket.

The 23-year-old Butt made a valiant bid after reaching his fourth one-day hundred, all against India, having lost the explosive Shahid Afridi (12) - back as opener - and Younis Khan (21) who hit a match-winning 117 in the last game, early on.