The heavily-bearded Anwar hit 101, his third World Cup century and 20th in one-day internationals, to keep Pakistan in the hunt for a Super Six place after captain Waqar Younis had opted for first crack on a fine batting strip.

Anwar, struggling with knee problems for several years and also out of touch after being hit on his elbow in the nets by team mate Shoaib Akhtar just before the tournament, looked back to his imperious best at the SuperSport Park ground.

The 34-year-old left-hander featured in two major stands, 58 for the first wicket and a vital 73 with Yousuf Youhana for the fourth, before reaching triple figures in the 40th over.

Clearly exhausted and in some discomfort, he was yorked by left-arm paceman Ashish Nehra two balls later. His 126-ball innings contained just seven fours.

Anwar won the early battle against some nervous Indian new-ball bowling, Zaheer Khan in particular struggling. His first over of the match cost seven runs, all in extras.

Anwar did the early scoring before fellow opener Taufeeq Umar smashed Khan through extra-cover for the first four and then drove Nehra twice through cover and long-on to bring up Pakistan's 50 in only 59 balls.

Nehra, whose career-best haul of six for 23 set up India's 82-run victory over England on Wednesday, struggled for rhythm to concede 19 runs in his first two overs.

Zaheer immediately replaced him and provided the breakthrough by bowling Umar between bat and pad with a full-pitched ball which swung in as the batsman failed to get forward.

Abdul Razzaq, promoted up a previously fragile batting order, scratched around for 12 runs before edging Nehra behind the stumps, Rahul Dravid taking a low one-handed catch diving to his right.

That made it 90 for two and eight runs later Pakistan looked in serious trouble when Inzamam was run out for six in a horrible mix-up with Anwar.

Anwar had paddled Anil Kumble straight to short backward square-leg and Inzamam set off from the non-striker's end only for his partner to send him back. Inzamam never made it.

Anwar made amends with Youhana and their 73-run stand, Youhana making 25 before he holed out in the deep of Javagal Srinath.

An exhausted Anwar soon followed but the lower order built on that platform, wicketkeeper Rashid Latif contributing with an inventive 29 off 25 balls as 47 came off the last five overs.

Nehra's final over went for 15 as he ended with two for 74 off 10 overs.