Pakistan fan's expensive dinner

India claim historic win

A cricket fan has been forced to remortgage his house after losing a £50,000 bet with his mate on the outcome of the Pakistan-India series.

The man, a Pakistan supporter, is keeping his identity secret, but the winner of the wager - who knows nothing about cricket - has been only too keen to revel in his good fortune.

Jake Caratella, a 44-year-old club doorman from Leicester, scooped the cash after India won both the Test and one-day series. If it had been the other way around, he would have had to hand over £50,000.

Caratella suggested the bet after getting fed up with his pal's boasts about how both competitions were going to finish.

"My friend was saying Pakistan this and Pakistan that so I asked him to put his money where his mouth is," he explained.

"He shook my hand and we drew up a contract later that night.

"I did not watch the series because I am not into cricket. I just went around getting on with my life. But when India won the first game, I thought I was going to win."

The deal between the two men was struck over dinner at a local restaurant and witnessed by several friends.

Caratella is quids in

Caratella claimed the windfall when India won the Test series 2-1 in April, having already clinched the one-day equivalent.

The father-of-two, who described himself as "not a millionaire but quite wealthy", said he would put the money towards a new apartment in Dubai and servicing his Ferrari.

When asked if he felt guilty about taking the cash off his friend, he replied: "A bet's a bet."

And you can be sure that's just what the other man's family are saying.