India beat Pakistan by an innings and 52 runs at Multan to complete their historic victory for a 1-0 lead in a three-match series. They had already clinched the one-day series 3-2.

Vajpayee had sent a congratulatory message to the winning team, his office said.

On previous tours of Pakistan, India had lost five Tests and drawn the remaining 15 in what is regarded as the ultimate rivalry in world cricket.

Sports Minister Vikram Verma lauded stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid for leading the team to a memorable victory.

"I congratulate Rahul Dravid, who led the Indian team, and all players for their fabulous show and all-round performance," he said in a message.

Dravid led the side in the absence of injured Sourav Ganguly.

President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Jagmohan Dalmiya said he was confident the team would now win the three-Test series as they were playing like champions.

"It is a historic win. The boys displayed a superb temperament to win the first Test in Pakistan," he said, adding he had urged them to maintain their performance and return with a series win.

In a message to stand-in captain Rahul Dravid, a delighted chief selector Syed Kirmani said: "Truly, it was the result of great teamwork under your excellent captaincy.

"In a span of 10 days, the team has created history twice in Pakistan.

"This should be one of the best victories India has ever scored. An innings win is the most ideal India can have over Pakistan."

Former India batsman Chandu Borde said the "perfect combination" of youth and experience was the key to the team's success.

"The way our boys played the game was marvellous," he said.

"Our team was inflicted with injuries, but still the manner in which our boys batted, bowled and fielded was very laudable."

India were without their key paceman Zaheer, who did not bowl in the second innings due a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, celebrations began in the western Indian city of Baroda when local boy Irfan Pathan dismissed the last Pakistani batsman to complete the victory.

Irfan's father said they offered special prayers in the morning after his son had called up Wednesday night.

"We are very happy that India won and more so because our son played an important role by taking six wickets," he said.

The country's newspapers were already in celebration mode, leg-spinner Kumble's strikes on Wednesday having taken India to the brink of victory in their first Test in Pakistan for over 14 years.

"Pakistan c India b Kumble," declared the Indian Express daily in its scoreboard-style headline while the Times of India caption blared: "India on clouds 9 & 10" as all major dailies ran front-page articles on the match.

India had not played a Test series in Pakistan since 1989-90 owing to political tension between the two south Asian neighbours because of a protracted dispute over the Himalayan region of Kashmir.

The series was cleared only after the Indian government last year revoked a three-year ban on playing bilateral games against Pakistan following a major peace move between the two countries.