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As India seized a historic win against Pakistan at the World Cup, 132,000 Indian fans broke into a rendition of Vande Mataram, a revolutionary song that played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement.
Key points:
- Fans travelled from all over the world for the game, as ticket and hotel prices soared
- Heavy security surrounded the Narendra Modi Stadium, but the event proceeded without incident
- India won comfortably, beating Pakistan by seven wickets to remain undefeated at the World Cup
The song was banned during British rule, the same colonisers who brought cricket to these nations.
While Indians have now adopted this as their national song, that colonial era has left deep scars and created decades of political divisions between India and Pakistan.
It has led to a sporting rivalry described as the fiercest in the world, watched by hundreds of millions of people, that goes back to when the countries faced partition during British independence.
As he walked into the stadium, Indian fan Nikhil described the match he was about to witness as "war".
"It's more about partition of India and patriotism and everything, so the India-Pakistan match is like a war," he said.
"It's a big deal. It's happening in India, we can't miss this opportunity, you have to be here."
India and Pakistan, who have engaged in three actual wars, usually play each other on the international stage in different countries and last played on Indian soil seven years ago.
So, when the countries were forced to play in India because it is hosting the World Cup, this became an event so rare and exciting that fans travelled from all over the world to witness it.
Hotel prices in Ahmedabad in the western state of Gujarat were jacked up and box tickets were being resold for as much as $300,000.
Local hospitals saw an increase in patients booking check-ups so they could have an overnight stay after the World Cup match instead of having to pay for steep accommodation.
Many people in India and Pakistan have family just across the border, but political tensions are so heightened that residents are only permitted to cross the border under exceptional circumstances.
Last month, the Pakistan cricket board said the team was struggling to attain visas for India, saying players only received them three weeks ago after complaining about the delay to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The cricket board said that hampered the team's preparations for the World Cup.
Pakistani fans and most of the country's journalists that applied to cover the match did not receive visas despite ICC rules dictating they should be approved ahead of the tournament.
'Cricket diplomacy' breaks through barriers
Divisions between the two nations have been on and off since independence, but political ties have been especially strained since the 2008 terror attacks, launched by Pakistani militants and killing more than 160 people.
The nations are also still fighting over the disputed regions of Jammu and Kashmir, which faces ongoing violence and military occupation.
The Narendra Modi government has taken over a large part of the previously autonomous region, which has led to widespread condemnation in Pakistan.
Given these complex tensions, seeing the nations play each other in one of their respective countries has now become a rare event.
There have been times throughout this patchy relationship where the countries have been united through cricket.
In 1987, Indian and Pakistani troops were confronting each other on the border when Pakistani president Mohammad Zia ul-Haq arrived in Jaipur to watch a Test match between the nations.
He called it "cricket diplomacy" and used it to facilitate an ad hoc meeting with then Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
India and Pakistan even co-hosted a World Cup in the 1990s, and between 2003 and 2008 there were two Test series played in each country.
Modi ever-present at cricket's biggest game
Such displays of congeniality seem unthinkable today, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his nationalist government use Pakistan as a political point scorer.
But last month, four Indian soldiers were killed in an attack in Kashmir, pushing many Modi supporters to call for Pakistan's team to be boycotted in this World Cup.
Regardless, the Modi government, which has ties to India's cricket board that in turn is hugely influential on the ICC, pushed ahead with the match.
As fans arrived at the stadium, they walked down roads flanked by billboards every few metres with Mr Modi's face emblazoned on them.
They then walked into the Narendra Modi stadium, the world's second largest sports arena.
Fans travelled from across India and around the world to Mr Modi's home state of Gujarat for the match, ahead of a crucial national election next year.
"Narendra Modi is the best prime minister and the best leader, but we're not talking about politics right now we're talking about cricket … this was a very unique match," one Indian fan, Krish, said as he walked out of the stadium.
Arun Harvani arrived at the match with his entire face and body painted in India's orange, white and green tricolours. He left a gap for a permanent tattoo that says "India" on his forehead.
"Whenever a match is played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, I paint my body in the Indian national flag," he said.
"I have seen tremendous excitement here, I've never witnessed what I'm witnessing today."
It's this kind of nationalism that Mr Modi capitalises on as part of his Hindu nationalist government's push for re-election.
More than 11,000 security were deployed for the event, as authorities received a threat of an attack at the stadium amid fears of communal violence, especially if Pakistan won.
Ultimately, the match went ahead safely with Pakistan unable to beat India.
India dominated Pakistan to win by seven wickets and continue their undefeated streak in the World Cup on home soil.
Pakistan batted first with captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan securing a strong partnership, but the team collapsed for 191 inside 43 overs.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma led the chase in the second winnings with the hosts eventually beating Pakistan in 30 overs.
While the political problems between these nations won't be resolved any time soon, Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli was seen having a heartfelt chat after with Azam after the match.
The players have spoken about how much they admire each other, and Kohli handed over a signed jersey to Azam at the end of the match.
"It's more of a sportsmanship thing, we play with Pakistan very rarely. So, whenever we play, we play with full enthusiasm," one fan said.
Indians left the stadium chanting, playing drums and dancing as fireworks lit up the sky over the stadium.
Fans like Shabah are now desperate for an India-Pakistan World Cup final.
"I think it will be one of the greatest matches in cricketing history and we would love to witness it."
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