Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first in Dubai. They got off to a slow, but steady start, through their opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul-Haq, but lost Imam lbw bowled Yuzvendra Chahal when he had scored 10. Zamam and Babar Ali then added 31, but Zamam was lbw to Kuldeep Yadav for 31 and, in the next over, Babar was run out by Chahal having scored 9.
However, then there was a stand of 107 for the 4th wicket, between captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Shoaib Mailik which was only ended when Sarfraz was caught off the bowling of Yadav for 44.
Malik and Ali then added a further 38 before Malik fell having reached 78, which included 2 sixes, caught behind by MS Dhoni off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah. In the next over Ali was bowled by Chahal for 30, as the Pakistan scoring rate was pegged back.
Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz tried to add some late momentum off tight Indian bowling, but Shadab was bowled by Bumrah off the third ball of the last over for 10, as Pakistan closed on 237 -7, with Nawaz undefeated on 15.
Unfortunately for Pakistan, both Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were in magnificent form, matching each other almost stroke-by-stroke as they cruised towards their target. Together the pair put on 210 in just 33 overs, as they put the Pakistani bowlers to the sword, in the process recording the top opening stand in Dubai. Dhawan reached his second century of the series, but with his side within sight of victory, he was run out by a good throw from Hasan Ali, having scored 114, which included 2 sixes and 16 fours. Soon afterwards Sharma reached his own century, with the stand-in captain yet again leading from the front.
Ambati Rayudu was at the crease at the end scoring 12 not out, whilst Sharma was undefeated on 111, having struck 4 sixes and 11 fours.
Shikhar Dhawan was named man of the match, but the award was equally deserved by his opening partner.