JEDDAH, 29 March 2005 — Pakistani expatriates yesterday celebrated their country’s ‘dream’ victory over India in the third cricket Test played in India.

They watched the game on TV and as the drama unfolded into a win they distributed sweets to mark the victory that leveled the three-Test series.

Their Indian counterparts, who were hopeful of a draw if not a win, were disillusioned by the dismal all-round performance of their team.

“India boasts great players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and captain Saurav Ganguly, but all of them let us down at the crucial moment today,” Syed Sultan, an Indian office secretary, remarked as he emerged from his home at the end of the match in Sharafiyah district.

“Indians should now seriously think of reinducting players like former star Ajay Jadeja, as the team very badly needs middle-order batsmen and all-rounders,” Aijaz A. Khan, an engineer and an active member of the Jeddah Cricket League (JCL), said.

“The Pakistani ‘think tank’ worked on a plan and implemented it on the field to win the Test. The Bangalore wicket did not favor bowlers and yet Indian batsmen went on the defensive and paid the price. They should have played their natural game,” he said, adding that Sehwag’s run-out was the turning point of the game. Pakistan’s pacer Mohammed Sami bowled consistently well with line and length. The victory is a morale booster for Pakistan who are to play a series of six one-dayers that starting in India from Saturday.

“It was a very good match. Both teams played well. Sehwag’s run-out made all the difference, as it was there after that India steadily slided down toward defeat,” Iqbal Chaudry of JCL said. Pakistan were good in all departments in the match that was interesting to watch, said Iqbal who kept track of the game on the Internet. “Until Tendulkar was there the result was not clear. The upcoming one-dayers will be very tough and, I think, India has an edge since they are playing on their home grounds. Pakistani cricketers are in form and they may play with three-four spinners, including either Kaneria or Arshad.” Pakistan lost the second Test by 195 runs in Calcutta after drawing the opening match in Mohali.

“It’s a feather in the cap of Pakistani captain Inzamam who scored 184 on his 100th Test appearance and won the match to level the series. He could not have asked for more,” Pakistani electronics technician Anis Mohammad said.

Kumar Krishnan, who umpires JCL matches, said: “We lost the match on Sunday when we allowed Pakistan to score so many runs. We were overcautious on the final day and paid the price. Our much-trumpeted batting lineup was a miserable failure. Our spinners usually bowl opponents out on the last day to register victory. This time we became the target to lose the match. Ganguly should be rested for Tests. Indians should leave the Test defeat behind and concentrate on the upcoming six one-dayers.”

“I wonder what made India bat defensively in a bid to save the game, with star batsman Sachin Tendulkar taking 98 balls for his 16, and even Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman batting slowly,” Indian media executive Rashid Hussain said.

“Leg-spinner Shahid Afridi, who grabbed three key wickets to plot India’s dramatic collapse, spinner Danish Kaneria and Younis Khan, who scored a double century in the first innings, were among the architects of victory,” another Pakistani said, adding that on the whole it was a combined effort.

“Everything seemed to go right for them, as the hosts lost their last nine wickets for 106 runs,” said Arshad Yaqub, a paint factory worker.

“Drawing the series is a very big achievement for the young Pakistani team led by Inzamam whose side have lost seven of their last 12 Tests. It’s very tough to come from behind to level the series against the home team and this win will help this team to do well in the one-dayers and also in the future,” Yaqub added.