KARACHI – Pakistan fans and former players on Sunday celebrated the team’s historic World Cup win over defending champions Australia, saying it had lifted a gloomy nation. Hundreds of jubilant fans thronged the streets after the winning shot, chanting “Long live Pakistan” and “Long live the Pakistan cricket team” in major cities Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.
Australia lost by four wickets to Shahid Afridi’s men, a defeat that ended their 34-match unbeaten streak in the tournament stretching back to the 1999 edition. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani congratulated the team, saying he hoped they would go on to win cricket’s showpiece event for the second time.
Saturday’s loss was Australia’s first in the World Cup since losing to Pakistan by 10 runs in Leeds in 1999. Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan praised the team for their victory, which means they topped Group A and will play the fourth-placed team in Group B in the quarter-finals.
“I congratulate the Pakistan team for their tremendous win,” said Imran, who led the team to their only World Cup title in Australia in 1992. “It was a complete team effort and with the natural talent that the Pakistan team has, I think they can win this World Cup,” said Imran.
Pakistan dismissed Australia for their lowest total since the 1992 World Cup before withstanding paceman Brett Lee’s burst of four wickets to win with nine overs to spare. “The mix of youth and experience is helping Pakistan,” said Imran.
Another former captain, Aamir Sohail, said Pakistan’s bowlers exposed weaknesses in Australia’s batting.
