Sachin Tendulkar almost had the perfect day in Hyderabad yesterday, but it all unravelled in the closing overs of a thrilling fifth one-day international against Australia.

Shaun Marsh made his first international century as Australia reached 350 for four, but Tendulkar’s 87th hundred for India appeared to be steering the match their way when he was out for 175 — he had reached the milestone of 17,000 runs in this format at seven — with India needing 19 off 18 balls. The rest of the side could not complete the task and when Praveen Kumar was run out with two balls to go, India were four runs shy of what would have been the second-highest run chase in one-day internationals.

Australia lead the seven-match series 3-2, and even if India were to win the remaining two games, they will not be able to overtake their opponents in the one-day world rankings.

The final match of the series is in Mumbai on Wednesday, four days before the city’s favourite son marks 20 years of Test cricket. Tendulkar made his debut as a 16-year-old on November 15, 1989 against Pakistan and a successor may have been found in the same city this week. Sarfaraz Khan, a 12-year-old Mumbai schoolboy, made 439 for Springfield Rizvi school, setting a record for the inter-school Harris Shield and passing the 329 that Tendulkar made in 1988.

“I’m a complete target person,” Sarfaraz said. “Once I touched my triple century, word came in about Sachin Tendulkar’s mark. That conquered, I managed 400.”

Bangladesh won the final one-day international against Zimbabwe in Chittagong to seal their series 4-1. Zimbabwe had been dismissed for 44 in the fourth match but made 221 for nine yesterday. Bangladesh slumped to 105 for five before Naeem Islam made an unbeaten 73 at No 8 to see them home by one wicket.

Andrew Flintoff has signed a three-year deal to remain with Lancashire. The deal does not include first-class cricket, but Flintoff may make the odd appearance in four-day matches.