Pakistan snatched a thrilling victory from India by 12 runs in the first Test in Madras yesterday after a valiant 136 by batsman Sachin Tendulkar almost gave India a remarkable win.

The pendulum swung back and forth throughout the match before India, needing 271 runs to win, were all out for 258 shortly before close on the fourth day. But it was not before the Pakistani bowlers had suffered a great deal of frustration, tension and, at times, even despair.

Reeling at one stage at 82 for five, India recovered to 218 before their next wicket fell.

Resuming with his own score on 20, Tendulkar batted with tenacity, and later aggression, to take India within striking distance of victory.

Tendulkar put on 136 runs with Nayan Mongia (52) in a sixth wicket stand that took India from the edge of a defeat to the verge of a famous victory.

But Mongia fell to Wasim Akram for 52 and after Tendulkar was caught in the deep by Akram off the bowling of off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq wickets fell rapidly.

Tendulkar, who survived an easy stumping chance as he shuffled forward to Mushtaq when he was on 90, hit 18 fours and faced 273 balls during 405 minutes at the crease.

Akram, the Pakistan captain, said Tendulkar had played a great innings. "Sachin played one of the greatest innings under pressure especially on such a turning track," he said. "He has shown it again today that he is the world's best batsman."

India captain Mohammad Azharuddin said: "I am disappointed obviously. I think we started a little negatively this morning and the turning point definitely was Sachin's dismissal."

Off-spinner Mushtaq was the main architect of Pakistan's win, taking five wickets for 93 runs to complete a 10-wicket haul in the match.

Pakistan had looked on their way to a much more comfortable victory after India, 40 for two overnight, slumped to 86 for five by lunch. But by tea India had moved to 147 without losing another wicket.

They cut loose after the interval, hitting the Pakistan bowlers almost at will until Mongia's dismissal.

Rahu Dravid (10) was the first to fall in the morning, bowled by a ball from Wasim Akram which pitched on middle stump and seamed away to knock back his off stump.

Azharuddin defended grimly for nearly an hour for just seven runs but was then leg before to Mushtaq as he shuffled forward without offering a stroke.

Saurav Ganguly fell to a controversial decision. He cut a ball from Mushtaq which bounced off substitute fielder Azhar Mahmood at silly-point and the ball then appeared to hit the ground before wicketkeeper Moin Khan scooped it up.

New Zealand umpire Steve Dunne consulted square leg umpire V K Ramaswamy and then raised his finger. Television replays appeared to show the ball had hit the ground.

Thousands of fans thronged the streets in Karachi yesterday to celebrate Pakistan's 12-run victory against India in Madras.

Many confectionery shops distributed free sweets and former Test cricketers termed the success an "historic" one. Crowds of fans roamed about holding life-size posters of Wasim Akram, coach Javed Miandad, Shahid Afridi and Saqlain Mushtaq.

They danced and sang and some fired into the air. Traffic jams were seen at several points in the city.