After restricting Zimbabwe to 196 the Indians reached their target in just 30 overs with Sachin and Savurav Ganguly putting up a tremendous batting display. Tendulkar launched a severe onslaught on the Zimbabwe attack and went on to compile his 21st century and his sixth hundred at this venue.
The right hander was in a peak form and went after the Zimbabwe attack from the very first delivery. He reached 50 in just 28 balls with the help of four sixes. In one particular over, he scored 17 runs. However, he had a 'life' at 53 following a terrible mix up between the keeper Andy Flower and Paul Strange. Both collided while trying to hold on to a catch.
India collected 112 runs from the first 15 overs.
Tendulkar's hundred came in 71 deliveries (five sixes and 10 boundaries). He scored 124. Ganguly scored 63 runs.
This was India's second major title victory at Sharjah this year.
Earlier, a fighting seventh wicket stand of 58 runs between Paul Strang and Eddo Brandes helped Zimbabwe reach 196 for 9 in their Coca Cola Trophy triangular limited over cricket tournament final against India.
The hard hitting Brandes played another fine innings and received excellent support from his partner Paul Strang after their side had collapsed to 116 for 7 by the 30th over. Zimbabwe who were put into bat really struggled until then and were in danger of being dismissed for under 150 runs. But Brandes and Strang got their act together well and repaired the damage through some sensible batting.
Brandes occupied the crease until the 44th over and hoisted one six and two boundaries while facing 46 deliveries. But his partnership with Paul Strang was really important for Zimbabwe who were playing in a major tournament final for the first time. Strang continued with the good work and was eventually dismissed in the final over for a well compiled 46 runs which included three boundaries. But he held the batting together and certainly helped his side reach a respectable total at the end.
Earlier India got off to a good start and had the opposition on the defensive throughout the first 25 overs. Ajith Agarkar struck in his very first delivery and from there onwards the Indians took control of the situation with their fielders backing up well. Anil Kumble too started off with a maiden and troubled all the batsmen on several occasions. The leg-spinner was on a hat-trick at one stage after having got rid of Andy Flower and Heath Streak in consecutive deliveries in the 20th over.
Kumble's first spell was an outstanding one as he conceded only 22 runs from his eight overs. Agarkar was equally brilliant and his figures read 5-0-19-1. Neil Johnson did make a fine attempt to pull his side from danger but offered a return catch to Chopra who stuck to his task with another accurate spell of bowling. Zimbabwe reached their first fifty in 12.5 overs and the first 15 overs produced only 59 runs. But it was during the latter stages that Zimbabwe really accelerated the scoring rate.
Zimbabwe reached their 150 runs in the 40th over with Brandes and Strang shaping up well. But their promising partnership came to an end in the 44th over with Sachin Tendulkar striking in his second over. Zimbabwe left out Craig Evans and brought in medium paceman Henry Olanga.