Gunshots give way to silence in Pak as India wins WC semis

Pakistan's cricket-crazy fans fired volleys in the air when their team started the chase of what looked like a winnable target in the World Cup semifinal against India, but celebrations gave way to anger and violence as the side faltered leading to the death of a person and injuries to 50 others.

Enthusiastic fans greeted every hit over and to the fence with gunshots in the air but the joy was replaced by stunned silence as wickets started to tumble and in the end some of the angry fans in the port city of Karachi smashed giant television screens set up at public places after their team lost.

As the game watched by the two Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Yousuf Raza Gilani began, thousands of people gathered at parks and stadiums across Pakistan where giant screens were put up to beam the match dubbed as 'mother of all battles.'

Many people in cities hired high definition screens for private parties while Twitter and Facebook buzzed with emotional messages egging on the two teams.

Most Pakistani fans believed the 260 runs scored by the Indian team was a target that would be easily chased by their side.

Every time a Pakistani batsman unleashed a four or a six, gunfire rent the air over Islamabad and Karachi by crowds that gathered at markets and public places.

Gilani yesterday declared a half-day holiday in offices and schools so that people could watch the semi-final thriller with arch-rival India.

Busy commercial centres, markets and roads quickly emptied at around noon as people left work to watch the game.

People continued to flock to shops selling the Pakistani flag and stickers well after the match had started.

Scores of youths, their faces painted green and white and wearing the green T-shirts of the Pakistan team, poured out into the streets.

Many youths drove through cities on motorcycles, waving the national flag and shouting slogans in support of their team.