New Delhi: Extending his good wishes to the Indian cricket team before it left for Pakistan, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Mar 10, 2004) said they should not only win the matches but also the hearts of the people in that country.

"Khel hi nahin, dil bhi jitiye. Shubkamanaye (win not only the game, but hearts also. Best wishes)," Vajpayee wrote on a bat he presented to captain Sourav Ganguly, who along with his team-mates and manager Ratnakar Shetty, called on the Prime Minister at his official residence in New Delhi.

School children lined up at the Prime Minister's residence with placards to wish the Indian team good luck as it embarked on the 40-day tour comprising five one-day internationals and three Tests.

The placards had messages like 'Best of Luck' and 'Atal ne diya cricket ka uphaar, India-Pakistan sadbhavana ka prachar' (Atal's cricket gift spreads harmony in India and Pakistan).

Others read: 'Sabse Aage Honge Hindustani' and 'Shanti, Gyan, Bhaichara, Yehi Uddeshya Hai Hamara'.

The Indian players, who came in a tourist bus named 'Gaurav', had a 40-minute meeting with the Prime Minister.

Sports Minister Vikram Verma and Minister of State for Sports Vijay Goel were also present on the occasion.