Joyous Pakistanis have taken to the streets to celebrate their cricket team’s victory in the Third test against India in Bangalore.
Firecrackers were set off, sweets handed out and prayers said after Pakistan tied the three-match series.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who is to watch a one-day game in India next month, hailed Pakistan’s “magnificent all-round effort”.
The teams will now play a series of six one-day matches.
President Musharraf is scheduled to travel to Delhi to watch a game on 17 April.
He said: “All players deserve praise for drawing the series with their lively performance in all departments of the game.”
‘Special prayers’
On the streets of Pakistan’s cities, cricket fans hugged each other as the final wicket fell.
President Musharraf plans to see a one-day game in India
One fan in Lahore, Taj Bao, told the AFP news agency: “I bought two kilos of sweets and distributed it among my employees and other shopkeepers in the bazaar.”
Another in Islamabad, Sher Baz, said: “Glued to my television set, I continued to pray for the Pakistan team’s victory. I will now say special prayers to thank God.”
In the southern city of Karachi, one electronics shop owner said it was “like winning the World Cup”.
Chants of “Long live Inzamam” - captain Inzamam-ul-Haq - could be heard in the streets.
Pakistan’s information and broadcasting minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed sent messages of congratulations to the team captain, coach and head of the cricket board.
He said: “The team has presented good cricket by inculcating the national spirit.”
Mr Ahmed said he was praying for victory in the one-day series.
Pakistan’s tour to India is their first there in six years.
