March 19, 2007	Monday	Safar 29, 1428

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DHAKA, March 18: Thousands of elated fans poured onto the streets of the capital on Sunday morning to celebrate Bangladesh's shock five-wicket victory over India in their opening World Cup Group B match at Port-of-Spain in Trinidad.

Flag-waving students from the sprawling campus of the Dhaka University danced and sang in jubilation as others chanted “Bangladesh, Bangladesh.”

The long day of celebration was sparked when Mushfiqur Rahim hit the winning boundary to steer Bangladesh to victory at 300am local time on Sunday.

“We have proved that we can beat anybody, now we are a cricket power,” Dhaka University student Abdullah Kafi said.

“This is just the beginning, in our third World Cup. We will rock the Caribbean,” another student, Taiyaba Nazneen, added.

The joyful scenes continued unabated, despite a ban on marches and gatherings that was imposed on Jan 11 following political violence that killed 45 people.

“Why should we stop them? I also want to shout and cheer like the boys,” one police officer said.

Bangladesh beat Scotland and Pakistan in their first World Cup in 1999, but failed to win a match in 2003.

Fakhruddin Ahmed, chief of Bangladesh's interim caretaker government hailed the victory.

“We hope the cricket team will bring further success for the nation,” Ahmed said in a message.

A majority of the nation's newspapers also praised the team, devoting their front pages to the victory.

“Roaring Tigers crush India,” was the headline of The Independent, while the New Age roared, “Bangladesh send India crashing”.—Reuters