NEW DELHI, India -- Sachin Tendulkar completed his 46th test half-century as India wrapped up a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first test in New Delhi on Monday.
Tendulkar is now second only to Brian Lara in the list of test run scorers.
The hosts knocked off the 32 runs they needed to win and go ahead in the three-match series off 6.2 overs, Tendulkar finishing with 56 not out.
Tendulkar, 32 overnight, pulled pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami for fours and reached his half-century by hitting leg-spinner Danish Kaneria through the covers for a boundary.
He finished the match with a square-cut four off Akhtar.
"Every time he (Tendulkar) goes out to bat he has to handle pressure and he has done it for the last 18 years," said India captain Anil Kumble.
"The hunger is there as always. He is definitely going to be number one test batsman in terms of runs, centuries, everything."
During this match Tendulkar became the second-highest test scorer with 11,207 runs and a record 37 centuries. Retired West Indies captain Brian Lara is now the only player ahead of him with 11,953.
Shoaib was Pakistan's best bowler with four for 58.
He denied left-handed Sourav Ganguly a 50 in his second over of the morning, having him caught pulling by debutant Sohail Tanvir at fine-leg.
Ganguly fell at his overnight score of 48 after putting on 88 for the fourth wicket with Tendulkar to set up the comfortable victory. He hit eight fours in his 64-ball knock.
Kumble said:"I think the boys responded very well. Everyone contributed in this win. The stand between Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Laxman in the first innings was very crucial. Laxman is a class player.
"Our bowlers kept pressure in the second innings and then came the Ganguly-Tendulkar stand, which was the turning point."
The match was a personal triumph for veteran leg-spinner Kumble, who finished with seven wickets on his captaincy debut and was named man of the match.
The second Test begins in Kolkata on Friday.
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