JEDDAH/DAMMAM/RIYADH, 2 April 2004 — Indian cricket fans across Saudi Arabia celebrated their country’s historic win over Pakistan by an innings and 52 runs in the first of the three-Test series held in Multan yesterday.

Although the outcome was known the previous evening when India were only a wicket away from the historic win, they chose to wait for the last wicket to fall, which was done in eight minutes when the Test resumed. Pakistani fans on the contrary were disillusioned by their team’s performance and wanted a complete overhaul of players and the coach.

Jeddah Cricket League (JCL) Joint secretary Syed Majeedul Hassan, who comes from Western Indian city of Aurangabad, said: “It’s a great achievement by our bowlers, especially leg break specialist Anil Kumble and newcomer pacer Irfan Pathan. Though Indian batsmen Virendra Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar played masterly innings, their bowlers were on top. Pakistan lost because of their bowling weaknesses.”

Muhammmad Iqbal Chaudhary who hails from Sargodha, Pakistan, and works for Haji Abdullah Alireza’s Gentex Group, said: “Indian players excelled in all departments. Their fielding was also better than Pakistanis who dropped catches and fielded badly. Our captain unfortunately did not use bowlers properly. He should have used irregular bowlers or bowled himself to break the 336-run Sehwag-Tendulkar partnership. The Pakistanis dropped three easy and two difficult catches. Of course, the better team in the match won.”

Hamid Rana, executive member of JCL who is also part of the Saudi Cricket Center, and comes from Lahore, said: “Pakistan lost the battle because of technicalities. Their fielding was not up to the international standard.

They relied on their much trumpeted bowling as before. Their bowlers were not up to the standard. India had more practice sessions and training than Pakistan and that is why the Indian bowlers could maintain line and length. Pakistanis on the contrary concentrated on their speed. The pitch was also not up to international standard. They could have tailor-made the pitch to suit their bowlers. India’s Irfan Pathan and Laxmipathy Balaji showed more control over the ball than their Pakistani counterparts. Match fixing is all rubbish. Indian team was much superior.”

Kumar Krishnan of Bombay who plays for Saudi Majestic, a registered JCL team, said: “It’s a fantastic win due to the full team effort. Sehwag’s triple century and Tendulkar’s 194 not out were an outstanding contribution that gave added confidence to our bowlers. Kumble’s comeback and Pathan’s line and length were also among the major reasons for India’s win.”

Saquib Fraz Khan of Salt N Pepper restaurant in Aziziah district, which attracted a large turnout of fans in its Arab News cricket pavilion during the recently held India-Pakistan One-Day International (ODI) series that was won by India 3-2, said: “Pakistanis are very much disappointed. They lost the ODI series. And now another disappointing cricket from their team. Anyway, cricket is a game in which both teams try to win. So one has to win and the other has to lose.”

In the Eastern Province, Indians were in total ecstasy over their win. Many of them woke up early to watch the fall of the last wicket. Abbas Naqvi, an Indian from Calcutta and working for a computer firm in Qatif “did not want to miss the historical moment” and glued to his TV set to watch the first session of the fifth day.

“Of course, Sehwag is the main architect of Indian victory with his triple hundred but young Irfan Pathan should not be deprived of his contribution. This boy has character. He has been rightly called a ‘smiling assassin’,” he said.

Pakistanis though disappointed with their team’s dismal performance took defeat in a sporting spirit and many of them praised the innings played by Sehwag.

“It was a well-deserved victory and India has beaten Pakistan in all departments,” said Humayun Muzaffar, director of Asia International English School.

Imran Mehdi, an Indian working for Saudi Arabian Airlines Catering, was ecstatic over Indian win.

“It was one of the most comprehensive victories India has ever scored. It was absolute beauty and a pleasure to watch young Irfan Pathan. He is a livewire.”

Muzaffar Rizvi, another Indian from Lucknow, said: “World cricket is going to have another Wasim Akram. He is in the mould of Akram in his action, swing and temperament. He is Akram’s carbon copy.”

Unlike previous years this series has not produced any bitterness between Indians and Pakistanis. Both the communities have been watching the entire series in true cricketing spirit with good humor.

Both Indians and Pakistanis, it appears, have buried their old bitterness and are living truly to the spirit of “Friendship series.”

In Riyadh, Shariful Hassan, an Indian executive, said: “The Indian boys displayed a superb match temperament and an excellent performance to win their first Test in Pakistan. Whatever the outcome, the cricket series will go a long way in promoting peace and friendship between the two nuclear rival countries.”

Manzar Khan of Al-Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation said: “After leading India to their first-ever Test win on Pakistani soil after 52 years, it seems the Indian team will continue with the same intensity and magical performance in the remaining Tests.”

“Many Indian expats also congratulated stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid for leading the Indian team to a memorable victory,” said Akhtar Siddiqui of the Delhi Public School (DPS) managing committee.

Indians in Riyadh celebrated the victory immediately after Irfan Pathan dismissed the last Pakistani batsman to complete the victory.

Danish Kamran and Haroon Qureshi, two young local Pakistani cricket players, also supported the Indian side for playing good cricket against Pakistan’s “poor batting lineup.”

“The series is not yet over and Pakistan is a great side despite all shortcomings.”

Sohail Khan, an Indian mechanical engineer, said: “Sehwag’s 309 and Sachin Tendulkar’s 194 not out helped India pile on 675 for five in the first innings before Irfan Pathan and Anil Kumble played havoc. Sehwag and Aakash Chopra did a great job as the opening pair for India.”

“Pakistani side was under immense pressure once India posted a huge first innings score and could not bat well,” said Navin Uphar of Shawkani General Trading Co.

He blamed Pakistani bowlers for not performing up to the mark.

“Most significant was the fact that both Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan were playing with injuries but still they bowled like champions,” said Saquib Sunny.