The West Indies Corey Collymore (right) and Brian Lara walk off the field after their tri-series match against India in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The West Indies lost by 16 runs. - Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters):

INDIA BEAT the West Indies by 16 runs in a low-scoring tri-series one-day match yesterday to revive their chances of reaching the final.

After being bowled out for a paltry 162 in 39.3 overs, India's four-pronged pace attack fought back to rip the heart out of the frail West Indies batting lineup before spinner and man of the match Harbhajan Singh mopped up.

The West Indies, who are already in the final, were all out for 146 in 41 overs with their suspect middle-order once again crumbling under pressure.

India and Australia face each other tomorrow morning (Ja. time) with the winners advancing to face West Indies in Sunday's final.

India captain Rahul Dravid, who chose to bat after winning the toss, was delighted after his side's first victory of the tournament.

PROBLEMS

"We talked about not giving up and trying to get some early wickets because we knew the West Indies were having problems with their middle order," said Dravid. "And our bowlers did just that. They bowled beautifully.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed we didn't bat that well, and thought we should have got around 210 or 220 on that wicket. But it was a good result for us and now we have to think about beating Australia."

West Indies skipper Brian Lara lamented another disappointing batting performance, despite juggling the order to give more players a chance at the crease.

"They are obviously lacking a bit of confidence and that's why some of the lower-order batsmen were pushed up so they could get some batting time and find some form," said Lara, who batted at number nine and top scored with 40.

Searching for form

"They didn't make the most of this chance but we have a few days to practice and hopefully they can find some form in time for the final."

Harbhajan claimed three for 35 from eight overs after coming on in the 26th over with West Indies already six wickets down. He earlier scored 37 runs for India.

Pacemen Ajit Agarkar, Munaf Patel and Shantha Sreesanth, with two wickets each, and R.P. Singh had already done most of the damage.

Lara's battling innings came too late to save the West Indies, who collapsed in their opening defeat against Australia, losing eight wickets for 29 runs, and nearly stumbled again during their narrow win over the Australians on Monday.

Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan were the only Indian batsman able to thwart the West Indies bowling attack as India posted a mediocre total.

Tendulkar was a steadying influence in his patient 65 while Harbhajan helped India take their score above the 150-mark.

West Indies' opening bowler Dwayne Smith was India's main tormentor, taking four for 31 off his 10 overs.

Dravid was hoping the pitch would be as generous as last time when India scored 309 against West Indies. But the captain was the first to go in the opening over when Smith forced him to edge a fine nick to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh.

New batsman Virender Sehwag (one) lasted just six balls before having his off stump rattled by Smith.

Wickets fell regularly as Tendulkar, who smashed 141 last week against West Indies in his comeback from injury, kept India's hopes alive.

The West Indies were fielding a second-string bowling attack with Jerome Taylor and Ian Bradshaw rested.

India's only change was bringing in Sreesanth for Irfan Pathan.