India celebrates cricket victory

By Jyotsna Singh and Suhail Haleem
BBC correspondents in Delhi and Lahore

Indian fans in Lahore take great delight in their side's win

India erupted in celebration after its cricket team won the first one-day series against Pakistan in 14 years.

People rushed onto the streets in the capital, Delhi, and other cities, bursting firecrackers as the celebrations continued late into the night.

India's president and prime minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, led the nation in congratulating the team on the historic win.

"It is a splendid victory. The entire country congratulates the team and expresses its happiness," he said.

"Our 11 players not only won the match, but also the hearts."

In Delhi, chants of 'long live India' filled the air. The atmosphere was electric.

I hope an Indian victory doesn't spoil the newfound friendship. Pakistan should take it in sporting spirit Tripti, student

"A victory over Pakistan - that's all that matters," Ekta, a housewife, told BBC News Online.

"Pakistan is our rival. But I think the victory will increase the rivalry rather than increasing friendship."

Large crowds in Delhi gathered in front of huge screens in shopping malls, food halls and hotels to watch their team win.

Those less privileged crowded around tea shops. It was a match very few Indians wanted to miss.

"Nothing can come in the way of an India-Pakistan match," said one woman who had travelled miles to watch the game on a big screen in a Delhi restaurant.

"We have been duly rewarded for all the pain we took with a win."

Another fan had chosen to view the match at a nearby Mexican restaurant for superstitious reasons.

"I chose this place because in the last World cup India won the match against Pakistan when I watched the match on a big screen here," he said.

Indians crowded round screens across the country

There were huge cheers every time a Pakistani wicket fell.

But once Pakistan's lower-order batsmen started scoring runs, the crowd fell silent and then shouted in desperation: "Come on Zaheer, finish the match."

There were many who feared victory might affect warming relations between the nuclear rivals.

"It's nice to watch India and Pakistan play each other," said Tripti, a 25-year-old student.

"I hope an Indian victory doesn't spoil the newfound friendship. Pakistan should take it in sporting spirit."

There were fireworks in Lahore, too, which were let off by the Pakistan Cricket Board after the game.

I will go home and have an early dinner - India are a great team, very solid batting Lahore resident Nisar Ahmad

A delighted Shatrughan Sinha, Indian federal minister, told BBC News Online: "We won the match, but more importantly we also won hearts."

Flag-waving Indian youngsters shouted: "We won, we won."

Pakistanis generally thought their team should have done better but did not feel let down.

Some left early, having given up hope of victory.

"Pakistan threw away wickets in the early overs - but for that they would have won," said one man, Farhat Imam.

"But there is no shame in losing such a well-contested series."

Pakistan will get an opportunity to get even in the Test series Lahore policeman

Another fan, Roshan Khan, said: "This series was good for Pakistan and good for cricket, but it would have been better still if we had won."

And actress Reema said: "It was a great match of cricket. Unfortunately one team had to lose."

Another woman, Nishat, said cricket had brought the two countries together: "You can't cry over who won and who lost."

For a policeman on duty, Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq should never have opted to bat second.

"It was a disastrous decision, but Pakistan will get an opportunity to get even in the Test series," he said.