As the passions were aroused, there were a few skirmishes in the crowd and three arrests could not detract from what was billed by tabloids as the best day of the World Cup so far, atmosphere wise.

Tight control, police and stewards were in hundreds on the ropes, but then cricket commentators and experts said no cricket match ever in this country had attracted so much tension.

Two hours before the start of the match, the ticket touts and whistle sellers they were asking for two hundred pounds and two pounds respectively were doing brisk business and the bedlam from the ground could be heard half amile away on approach.

All around the jam-packed Old Trafford ground it was a sea of flags, mostly Pakistani and a fair number of Indian. The supporters were even sitting next to each other, but after all the pre-match fears, there was a sense of relief.

There was also a glimpse of how cricket can be a carnival sport, it engaged the emotions of the sporting public. Every fan at the ground was bodysearched for weapons. Though flags were allowed in, big banners and poles were confiscated. Young Pakistan and Indian supporters chanted slogans. They kept to their own groups and did not mingle.

Thunderous cheers, boos and jeers accompanied a four hit or a six and also when a player got out, but were not directed at each other.

The Pakistani supporters, who were in a buoyant mood after India was dismissed for 227, gradualy became quieter as Pakistan started losing early wickets. The prayer mats were out after the match as the Pakistani team crashed to a defeat.

Afterwards, police and players converged onthe escape route of the steps of the Old Trafford pavilion as spectators sprinted across the ground. Smoke bombs and firecrackers went off as India had the last laugh.

The most crucial moment of the day was when players rushed off the field to escape the invading fans. Ajay Jadeja was tripped up by the security rope intended to keep away the spectators from players and was sent sprawling on the ground in front of the pavilion.

Scuffles broke out and at least two Indian tricolours were set on fire as what appeared to be a ``friendly combat of words'' turned into violence after India's victory.

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

However, the British Asian community were praised by the media here for the peaceful conduct of the match.

``Jeremiahs go down without a fight'' wrote The Guardian. ``The cricketersdeserve credit. It was chivalrous contest throughout. Generally, the jeremiahs who had forecast mayhem and the race riots were routed, just as in the end, the Pakistani favourites has been,'' it said.

``Britain's Asian community did itself proud even as it smithereened the Tebbit test at every turn'' it said.

The Independent said ``fans bring a flavour of Calcutta. Any one who thinks that cricket remains a languid Sunday afternoon sort of a game should have been to Old Trafford.''

``Pakistan collapse while their arch rivals restore pride as Old Trafford showdown passes off peacefully'' said another headline in The Independent.``Prasad rescues India's summer'' it said adding ``if the pre-match billing was to be believed, this match had all the ingredients for a nuclear armageddon. But if the cricket was one sided, albeit with an unexpected win for India, small pockets of fans soured the post-match proceedings by burning Indian tricolour, a symbolic act that the authorities were slow to interrupt.''