UNDATED, Feb 1 (AFP/Reuter/In-ternet): Indian cricket fans nursed their battered pri-_ de today, following a heartbreaking 12-run loss to arch-rivals Pakistan in the first Test in Madras on Sunday.
Bui bitter disappointment was partly soothed by the knowledge that While Pakistan look match honours, the match was finished without trouble erupting.
A Test match that almost never took place because of the threats of Hindu militants, ended with Pakistan running a lap of honour and receiving a standing ovation from the capacity crowd at the Chepauk Stadium.
"Only a Test match of such exciting proportions was required to celebrate the revival of the Test series between India and Pakistan," wrote the Hindu newspaper.
Former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad said he was glad that the game of cricket had won. “Sport is our religion and it should be kept away from caste, creed, religion of nationality.
’The way the crowd supported the Pakistani cricketers demonstrated that there are no enemies in sport. Within our hearts we know that we are brothers." Azad said.
However, it was altogether a •different story ip Karachi as thousands of cricket fans thronged the streets to celebrate Pakistan's win.
Many confectionery shops distributed free sweets and former Test cricketers termed the success an "historic" one.
Crowds of fans roamed about holding life-size posters of Wasim Akram, coach Javed Miandad, Shahid Afridi and Saqlain Mushtaq.
They danced and sang and some fired into the air. Traffic jams were seen at several points in the city.
Firecrackers exploded in the Punjabi capital. Lahore, moments after the last Indian wicket fell while Pakistan's players embraced each other in jubilation in Madras.
"It's a dream victory achie-
ved under the most 'difficult circumstances, and I congratulate Wasim Akram for his astute captaincy and the team unity," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Khalid Mahmood told.
Mahmood praised the Indian crowds for their support to the Pakistan team and the standing ovation.
PCB chairman said the team deserved incentives and rewards.
'They have given a wonderful gift to the nation." Pakistani chief selector Wasirn Bari said.
"We are proud of our team. Bal Thackeray must be crying." said cricket fan Yasir Shahid, referring to ah Indian rightwing Hindu party leader's violent campaign before the Test series.
Former Test cricketer Zaheer Abbas said it was a timely victory which Pakistan Cricket "needed badly."
. Pakistan’s legendary cricketer Hanif Mohammad said. "This is the most unforgettable victory Pakistan has ever achieved." lauding Wasim Akram.
The Test turned out to be an action reply of the Bangalore Test when Pakistan beat India by a mere 16 runs in 1987.
"Yes. the match was almost the same. Saqlain bowled well and it was Tendulkar's wicket that brought Pakistan back. It's a historic win," said Iqbal Qasim, who spun Pakistan to win at Bangalore 12 years ago.
Qasim's partner in the Bangalore win Tauseef Ahmed described the Madras win as nerve-tingling.
"It is a tremendous win and Wasim motivated the team to achieve this win. I have gone through the same feelings 12 years ago so I was calm and never thought Pakistan can't win," Ahmed said.
"It was one of the greatest moments of my cricketing career," said Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram.
“We have won. India could have won as well, but the real winner in this game was cricket itself," he said.
There had been fears that
Hindu militant threats and simmering political tensions between the two countries would derail the tour and even spark communal violence.
In the end those fears proved unfounded. The Chepauk saluted the visitors after one of the most thrilling matches in the history of Test cricket between the two countries.
"I take my hat off to the behaviour and discipline that was shown by the people of Madras, who came here to watch this Test.” said Pakistani coach Javed Miandad.
"They were absolutely splendid. friendly and understanding." added that former Test star.
The Test was won on the fourth day. which saw the game swing wildly from Pakistan's favour to India and then finafiy back to Pakistan.
The man-of-the-match award went to India's star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, whose masterful 136 had brought India to within 17 runs of victory when he lofted an easy catch to mid-off.
The remaining three wickets fel l for the addi tion of just four runs.
Akram described Tendulkar's seven-hour innings as "the best I have seen under pressure," but even such stirring praise failed to lift the Indian hero’s spirits.
From a purely cricketing point of view, the loss was very painful to Indians.
Tendulkar had kept the home team's hopes alive as they recovered from 82 for five to go desperately close to the victory target of 271.
His departure sealed- India s fate, leaving the Asian Age newspaper to sum it all up in its front-page headline: "Pakistan defeat Tendulkar."
T should have reached the target myself." Tendulkar said;
"It was my intention to stay there until the end.”
The Indian newspapers on Monday reflected the sense of anguish at having come so close, but also exulted at the Sp TheC secohd Test begins in New Delhi on February 4.