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NEW DELHI (India) & KARACHI (Pakistan): Cricket fans spilled over into India's streets and danced to drumbeats Saturday to celebrate their team's win over arch-rival Pakistan in the opening one-day match of the historic series.

Roads which had been deserted throughout the day as people were glued to their television sets came alive in spontaneous rejoicing as soon as the last ball was bowled in the Pakistani port city of Karachi.

Firecracker bursts mingled with shouts of "Hip Hip Hurray" as traffic had to stop on many Indian city roads to give way to the joyful crowds.

Inzamam blames bowlers for defeat

Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq blamed his bowlers for narrow five runs defeat in the first One-Day International against India Saturday.

"They (bowlers) did not bowl to a good line and length which allowed India to score a healthy score" he told reporters in post match press conference at media centre of National Stadium.

"Bowlers conceded a lot of extras and that made the difference", he added.

"We opted to bowl first hoping that moisture in the pitch will help the bowlers", he said. "But they did not bowl well," he said. "Had they not bowled badly Indians wouldn't be able to score such a good score" Inzamam-ul-Haq, who was named Man of the match said.

Commenting on his brilliant hundred, Inzamam said he would have been even more happy with his ton had his team emerged winner in the end.

Inzamam-ul-Haq applauded Karachi crowd for their excellent behavior and showing great discipline. "They supported good cricket and in the end saw exciting contest". He expressed the hope the people at the other centre will show the same discipline and spirit.

Inzamam said the pitch for the man was good and it produced a lot of runs. However he said pitches at other centres will be different. He defended the inclusion of only five bowlers in the team and added that cricket pundits may have said Pakistan was less a batsman.

Ganguly Happy over Win

"Its good to start a series with a win" beaming Indian captain Sourav Ganguly told reporters.

He complimented left arm paceman Ashish Nehra for producing a superb final over which turned the table in India's favor. "Our bowlers stick to a good line and length in the initially 15 overs as per our planning", he said.

Commenting on the remaining matches of the series, he said both teams are even and it will be keenly contested in coming matches.

Vajpayee, Advani congratulates Team India

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee congratulated Indian cricket captain Sourav Gnaguly and his team by phone after their thrilling victory.

"The prime minister called on my mobile and asked to speak to Sourav," said Indian team manager Ratnakar Shetty.

"He told Sourav that the entire country was proud of the team and hoped it would continue the good work for the rest of the tour."

Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani also congratulated the team. "I congratulate the Indian team for its victory in a match which till the last moment could have gone either way," he said.

Joyous Moment for Indians

Large television screens were set up in restaurants and there was a carnival atmosphere because of the match, the Indian team's first full Test tour of Pakistan since 1989.

People rushed out of the pubs and restaurants, yelling in joy as the thrilling match ended in victory for India.

President, PM watch Pakistan lose to India

President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali Saturday watched Pak-India one day match with great interest on television.

The President and the Prime Minister, taking time from their busy schedule, enjoyed the last moments of the match that turned out to be a thriller in the end. Prime Minister Jamali was in Lahore on official business.

Both the leaders might have appreciated the winning team but of course they didn’t seem too much happy with the result.

Musharraf greets India on win

President General Pervez Musharraf Saturday congratulated India on its victory in the opening one-day clash against Pakistan and described the match as "interesting, well contested and extremely exciting."

He expressed happiness that people of Pakistan, particularly Karachi welcomed the Indian team with a warm heart and hoped that the same spirit would prevail throughout the entire series.

"It was an exciting and thrilling match," Musharraf said at the outset of his keynote address via satellite at the India Today conclave being held in New Delhi.