KINGSTON, March 14: The Caribbean woke up on Wednesday with a hangover.

It did not come from the bottom of a rum or beer bottle, although plenty may have been consumed overnight by fans still ecstatic, following West Indies’ 54-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match on Tuesday.

It's the first time that the World Cup is being staged in the region, and Brian Lara's side had the perfect start, confirming their status as the dark horses to lift the coveted trophy for the third time.

The Jamaica Observer described the win as a 'Superb start', and observed it “was as good as it can get”.

“Willed on by a vibrant, near-capacity crowd, the West Indies played brilliantly to overwhelm Pakistan by 54 runs as the World Cup got off to a rollicking start at the new-look Sabina Park,” said the newspaper in an editorial.

The Jamaica Gleaner called the triumph, 'Sweet victory'.

“For the West Indies, the curtain-raiser was more than encouraging, and more than exciting. It was simply positive and really thrilling.”

In Bridgetown, Barbados, venue for the final on April 28, the Daily Nation hailed the victory as a 'Sweet One'.

“The Caribbean flavour, flair, and frenzy engulfed Sabina Park to provide the Cricket World Cup with the dream start every West Indian was longing for,” it said.

“West Indians celebrated a victory over Pakistan in a manner in which only Caribbean people can, amidst uncontrollable merriment among an almost packed ground of 20,000.

“As Brian Lara's men moved towards a 54-run triumph, those in the stands at the renovated ground screamed themselves hoarse in acknowledging a win that launched the West Indies' bid to become the first home team to win the World Cup.”

In Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, the Trinidad Express trumpeted, 'On a high!'. “In each of the first two World Cups, the West Indies beat Pakistan. Each time they went on to lift the trophy,” it said. “A virtually full arena, including 17 surviving members of those Cup winning teams of 1975 and 1979, watched Brian Lara's side give the host nation the start they desperately wanted and early leadership of Group D.”—AFP