Party begins - Indian fans dance for joy

Fans across the country sang the players' praises and let off firecrackers as soon as the last Pakistani wicket fell.

India took the series 2-1 after winning by an innings and 131 runs in the third and final Test in Rawalpindi.

President Abdul Kalam said it was a "fantastic" result, of which the whole nation was proud.

Parliament Speaker Manohar Joshi said: "The Indian team has not only won the Test series, but also the hearts of people of Pakistan."

A heroes' welcome now awaits the players when they fly back to Delhi on Saturday evening.

'Dream come true'

Across India, millions tuned in to watch the deciding Test - India's first series victory away from home since 1986 and their first ever in Pakistan.

There were celebrations from Bombay (Mumbai) in the west to Jaipur in the north and Bangalore in the south.

They have created history Ajay Singh

In Calcutta, the home city of captain Saurav Ganguly, fans distributed sweets, set off crackers and blew horns to celebrate the victory.

The BBC's Ayanjit Sen in the capital, Delhi, says festivities there in the sweltering heat were more subdued.

Ajay Singh, a health ministry official in Delhi, said it was a great feeling to beat Pakistan.

"I was lucky enough to catch the final moments of the match and I was ecstatic after the victory," he told BBC News Online.

Satpal Dalmiya, a lawyer, said it was a "dream come true".

"The win cannot be described in words - and emotions are involved whenever India plays against Pakistan."

Chandrabushan Seth, a businessman from the northern city of Kanpur, said the final catch by Saurav Ganguly had been a great moment.

"But India was expected to win this Test after putting up such a good batting performance and Pakistan lost a few wickets yesterday."

Bonus

The Indian cricket board was not slow to celebrate the occasion.

Rahul Dravid: Man of the match

Delighted cricket chief Jagmohan Dalmiya announced the players would share a five-million-rupee ($114,000) bonus - matching the amount they were given when they won the earlier one-day series 3-2.

Mr Dalmiya said: "I congratulate the team for this historic victory. This series has also achieved the goal of bringing people of both countries closer through cricket."

It was India's first full tour of Pakistan in more than 14 years, and comes amid fledgling peace talks after years of hostility.

BBC South Asia correspondent Adam Mynott says the tour could act as a springboard for negotiations between the two governments - if political leaders manage to adopt the same enthusiasm and commitment as the cricket fans.

'Better team won'

The head of Pakistan's cricket board was gracious in defeat.

"It's a remarkable turnaround in the mental strength of this Indian team," Shaharyar Khan told the Associated Press.

I can't figure out why the Pakistan team collapsed all of a sudden Farid Sami Lahore accountant

"At the end of the day I think a better organised team won both Test and one-day series."

Farooq Aziz, a supporter in Lahore, could not believe what he said was a shocking result.

"When Indian cricketers were celebrating their victory in Rawalpindi stadium it was as if they were dancing on the dead body of Pakistani cricket," he told the BBC Urdu service.

Accountant Farid Sami was perplexed at the way Pakistan had blown hot and cold, allowing a walkover for India.

"I can't figure out why the Pakistan team collapsed all of a sudden. When we see such an inconsistent performance the rumours about match-fixing seem quite credible."

But other fans agreed that India had been the better side.

"I just came here to enjoy the festivities," one told the BBC. "I guess it has been a wonderful atmosphere for the last couple of months in Pakistan.

"I think the Pakistani team should go to India to play a cricket series - and then we should win over there."