18 April 2005	Monday	08 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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KARACHI, April 17: A frenzy gripped Pakistan on Sunday as the national team thrashed India in the final One-day International in New Delhi and clinched the six match series 4-2. People swarmed the streets and exploded firecrackers in major cities and towns across the country to celebrate the massive 159-run victory in the sixth one-day game at Delhis Ferozeshah Kotla ground.

“The team has performed superbly, the nation is proud,” said Haris Ghazi, who led a procession of motorbikes in the busy Burns Road area of Karachi.

People at several places watched the match on specially erected giant screens while luxury hotels and leisure clubs, calling it a “Super Sunday” in India-Pakistan cricket history, had cooked special dishes for cricket lovers.

Pakistan set a challenging 303 target in the allotted 50 overs with Shoaib Malik, Yousuf Youhana and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq smashing half centuries and bundled out India for a 159 in 37 overs.

“The team is maturing fast and all those who termed it the weakest team ever to tour India are forced to eat their words,” said another fan Mujtaba Ikram.

In Lahore youth playing cricket at a park danced with joy on each wicket India lost in New Delhi.

As the last wicket tumbled they chanted slogans praising Inzamam, hard-hitting all-rounder Shahid Afridi and pacer Rana Navedul Hasan for their performances.

“Its icing on the cake for this young team. A one-day series win in presence of president Pervez Musharraf in India, could ensure huge bonus for the players from the president,” a fan Rizwan Ali said.

Supporters vowed to give the players a heroes’ welcome when the team returns home on Monday.

Pakistan came from behind after losing the first two matches to wrap up their first tour to India in six years on high note.

Earlier in an impressive fight back Pakistan also levelled the three-match Test series 1-1.

“It’s a revenge win for us but thankfully the friendship between the two countries is the real winner,” said Bilal Ahmed, referring to the one-day and Test series victory scored by India when they toured Pakistan last year.

“It’s a fantastic and historic win,” former Pakistan great Javed Miandad said. “Inzamam and his team deserve the applause for coming from behind.”

Another former captain Waqar Younis praised the team.

“It is a great achievement for a team that came to India as the underdogs. They played remarkably in both in the Tests as well as in the ODI series.”

Commenting on the future of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who missed the tour because of fitness problems, Waqar said:

“No doubt, he is a genuine match-winner and should return to the team once he is fully fit.”—Agencies