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The pain and pleasure of India's victory

Scuffles broke out, and at least two Indian tricolours were set on fire, after what appeared to be a "friendly combat of words" turned into violence following India's thumping victory over Pakistan in the World Cup Super Six league today.

The highly-charged match, which had unprecedented security arrangements, saw rival fans hurling matching slogans even as the game was in progress. But it turned ugly after India's victory, with some Pakistani fans kicking and punching Indian fans following pitch invasion. However, police swung into action and took atleast two Pakistani fans away.

Police also cleared all the fans out of the Old Trafford ground and calm was restored.

According to a police statement, two Pakistanis and an Indian were arrested for public order offences and one person was injured by the fireworks set off even as the pitch invaders were waiting for the post-match presentations.

In India, however, scenes of jubiliation were witnessed across the country, with cricket fans distributing sweets and bursting crackers.

Cricket enthusiaists in the capital danced as the Pakistan captain, Wasim Akram, the last man to be out in the Pakistan innings, was caught by Anil Kumble off the bowling of Venkatesh Prasad.

A Bombay report said the metropolis witnessed an outpouring of joy, with enthusiastic fans distributing sweets and congratulating each other.

A hotelier distributed nali nihari, a traditional Muslim dish, to 101 beggars on the streets of Nagpada and Bhendi Bazaar, in central Bombay, to celebrate the victory.

Khalid Hakim, who owns the Noor Mohammedi hotel said that he had vowed before the Almighty that if India won the match, he would feed 101 fakirs in thanksgiving. ''We are so happy; fire crackers have started bursting in the vicinity,'' he said. He went on to add that he had already started feeding the beggars much before the last wicket fell as he was sure that India would win the match.

UNI