Saeed Anwar cuts a four. (Getty Images)

By Brenden Nel, PA International, Centurion

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India sounded out their intentions as genuine World Cup contenders with a famous win over old foes Pakistan at SuperSport Park on Saturday.

Led by a masterful 98 from maestro batsman Sachin Tendulkar, the Indians took the first match played between the two sides in three years with ease, recording a six-wicket with 26 balls to spare.

The victory secured India's place in the Super Sixes, qualifying from Pool A along with Australia, but left Pakistan's hopes of staying in the competition hanging by a thread.

They must now hope for a comprehensive victory over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Tuesday and that England lose by a big margin to Australia on Sunday for them to qualify on net run rate.

Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh sealed the victory with a magnificent partnership of 99 off 114 balls when Tendulkar departed just short of what would have been his 35th one-day century.

Singh scored an exceptional half-century at exactly the right time off just 53 balls with six fours, while Dravid hit the winning boundary to finish with a magnificent 44 not out.

Tendulkar carved his way past 12,000 runs in his innings and recorded his 60th half century in quick time, falling just short of what would have been the third quickest century in World Cup history.

Tendulkar took on the Pakistani bowling from the beginning, putting on a 50 partnership with Virender Sehwag in just five overs before Pakistan captain Waqar Younis struck twice in as many balls to give his side a glimmer of hope.

Sehwag was on 21 off just 14 balls before he hit one off Waqar on the up and sent the ball straight to Shahid Afridi for the Pakistanis to claim their first wicket.

Captain Saurav Ganguly went next ball, being trapped lbw for a duck as he looked to get a harsh decision against him with a ball that looked too high.

But it did not stop Tendulkar, who hit Shoaib Ahktar for a massive six in the bowler's opening over to show his intent.

He then put on a century partnership in the same amount of balls with Mohammad Kaif before the latter played a ball that was way outside his off stump onto his stumps to be removed for 35 off 60 balls.

Tendulkar eventually succumbed when he received a lifting delivery from Shoaib Ahktar which he lifted to Younis Khan at point.

But he could easily have been out earlier, as he was dropped by Abdur Razzaq when he was on 32 and again in a tough caught and bowled chance by Shahid Afridi when he was on 89 not out.

Razzaq had to leave the field after he split the webbing in his hand in trying to take the catch while Pakistan were also without their first choice wicketkeeper Rashid Latif after he went to hospital for precautionary x-rays after being hit on the head while batting earlier in the day.

Latif was later cleared after undergoing a CAT-scan but still felt dizzy, according to team officials.

Pakistan's bowlers all suffered, with captain Waqar Younis claiming 2-71 in 10.4 overs and Shahid Afridi 1-45 in nine overs.

Earlier, Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar scored his fourth century against India as his side set a what looked like a highly-competitive target of 273 for seven.

But Inzamam Ul-Haq's poor form continued as he was run out.

Inzamam made his intentions clear at the start, lofting Anil Kumble back over his head for four.

But was left stranded by a perfect throw from Virender Sehwag from backward square-leg as he started off too early and was sent back by partner Anwar to be out for six.

He has now only scored 16 runs in his five World Cup matches and faced just 26 balls in the tournament so far.

Inzamam will hope to put that right next week and that his side can also yet resurrect their disappointing World Cup campaign, but for India it is very much a cash of so far, so good.