The captains of India and Pakistan squads, Saurav Ganguly and Inzamamul Haq, have showered lofty tribute on the Karachi fans for their disciplined and exemplary behaviour during the entire duration of the fabulous and lovely one-dayer played at the National Stadium that had one of closest-ever finishes.
It should remove all apprehensions about crowd rowdyism and security fears the Indians expressed some weeks before landing in the Sindh megapolis.
The President of the Indian Board (BCCI), Jagmohan Dalmiya, called the spectators one of the most orderly seen in any part of the cricket-playing world.
He expressed the hope that the next tour would kick off from Karachi with a five-day Test. The atmosphere and setting in the match would have a long-term impact, Dalmiya felt.
Ehsan Mani, the Rawalpindi-born President of the International Cricket Council (ICC), insisted that Karachi cannot be ignored in any future Test itinerary for this country.
He was sure that Test cricket would soon return to this industrial city which was cut out from the roadmap of cricket contests by South Africa, New Zealand and even India.
However, Mani termed the cricketing relationship between the two arch-rivals as a first step towards a long journey.
Cricket was poorer without tussles between the two South Asian neighbours, Mani pointed out.
The scene now shifts to Rawalpindi, where a limited overs fixture is slated to be held on Tuesday, a day-and-night flood-lit affair.
Pakistan will have to field an altered combination after the failure of the opening batsmen, Yasir Hameed and Imran Farhat and will per force have to induct Imran Nazir in view of his gutsy and wristy hits against the Indian bowling in Lahore.
Maybe Yasir Hameed goes back to his original slot of one down and Taufiq Umar joins Imran as an incisive opening associate.
In view of the dearth of spin bowlers the recall of Shahd Afridi is deemed necessary for his gaudy and powerful hits may also serve Pakistan's cause well.
Afridi's forcing drives were needed when Pakistan had to make nine runs in the final over to romp home. Shahid is also a swift fielder.
In fact rapid and quick work in the field while India was on the receiving end helped the latter in clinching the tie.
Kaif's running and splendid catch on the long-on boundary to send back Shoaib Malik more or less sealed the outcome for India.
Conversely Shoaib Malik spilled a sure catch of Sehwag in the covers when he had not opened his account. With this 'life' Sehwag went on merrily and happily to a score of 79.
Sehwag's dismissal would have changed the complexion of the match for an early departure was made by Tendulkar himself.
Certainly the Indians are better in catching; pick-ups and throws. If fielding wins matches Pakistan's fielding has to be sharpened.
Perhaps no-balls and wides by the Pakistani seamers are difficult to be curbed. They settle down later. The coach has to play his role in this respect.
One hopes Younis Khan plays a manful innings and his strokes exhibit signs of courage and enterprise.
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