Nehra savours victory

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India's Ashish Nehra was delighted after his final over stopped Pakistan winning the first one-day international in Karachi.

Pakistan needed nine runs from the 50th over, but Nehra conceded only three and claimed a wicket with his last ball for India to win by five runs.

"It was a big over for me," he said. "I was under pressure, but if I bowled well I knew I could do it

"It's a great feeling for me. I bowled well and got the wicket of Moin Khan."

Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who received a call from Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee congratulating him on the win after the match, was relieved his side had defended the highest one-day score in international cricket.

Pakistan reaction

"It is difficult to remember a better one-dayer ," said Ganguly.

"I hope it's not so close for the next month.

"In the first 15 overs they had put 70 on the board and I thought we had them under control, but Pakistan batted superbly."

Ganguly said the Karachi crowd were excellent and he was impressed with the welcome his team had been given in Karachi.

"It's nice here. It's the first time we have come to Pakistan and we are delighted with the way we have been welcomed," he added.

"But the security is incredible, I've never seen security like this."