India romp to victory in first Pakistan test

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India romped to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in the first test on Monday, taking the lead in the three-match series.

The hosts, chasing a target of 203, coasted to the win with six wickets in hand after needing just an additional 32 runs for victory on the fifth day.

Sachin Tendulkar was unbeaten on 56 after reaching his 46th test fifty. Strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar removed Saurav Ganguly on his overnight 48 before India knocked off the runs in just half an hour.

Shoaib returned figures of four for 58.

Ganguly and Tendulkar added 88 runs for the fourth wicket after opener Wasim Jaffer struck a fluent 53 to guide India to 171 for three at stumps on the fourth day.

India made 276 all out in reply to Pakistan's first innings 231 and then dismissed them for 247. India leg spinner Anil Kumble completed match figures of seven for 106.

The 37-year-old, making his test captaincy debut, was named the man-of-the-match.

Shoaib struck again in the morning when he tempted Ganguly with a short-pitched delivery and his uppish hook flew straight to Sohail Tanvir at backward square leg.

Tendulkar, however, enjoyed the rising deliveries, swinging Shoaib and Mohammad Sami to fine leg for fours before cutting leg spinner Danish Kaneria past cover.

He hit the winning four with a square cut off Shoaib who returned creditable figures of six for 102 in his first test since January.

Vangipurappu Laxman was six not out.

The second test starts in Kolkata on Friday.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)