Cricket-crazy Pakistan danced in the streets after batting maestro Inzamam-ul Haq’s record-breaking triple hundred against New Zealand.

Fans in Inzamam’s central Pakistani home town of Multan celebrated the batsman’s monumental 329 against the Kiwis on the second day of the first Test on Thursday by jubilantly taking to the streets and distributing sweets.

An upbeat Pakistani press joined the festivities, waxing lyrical about Inzamam’s new membership of an elite club of Test triple-centurions.

“Haq secured a place among the all-time batting greats of cricket when he stroked a masterly triple hundred,” the English-language Dawn said in an editorial on Friday. “Without any shadow of doubt, Haq’s achievement is sure to earn him the reputation, respect and standing he so richly deserves.”

Haq’s innings was a personal best, the 10th highest in Test history and only the 16th 300.

The News, English daily, said batting masters Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar had long been considered the best, “but with this triple hundred Haq will also stand besides them. It was a monumental effort by Haq and one of the best played in Pakistan,” it said.

The Nation newspaper said the burly 32-year-old “bludgeons Black Caps into submission.”

“It was the day of the big fella, and braving heat, despite struggling with leg cramps he made the New Zealand bowlers suffer with his rampage,” said the paper’s match report.

“Inzamam hits scintillating 329 to enter record books,” said The Times daily. “The day belonged to Haq who ran rampage.”

Urdu-language newspapers offered generous praise in their inimitable style. “Kiwis forget flying as Haq cuts their wings with triple hundred,” said Pakistan’s biggest-selling Urdu daily, Jang.

Cricket is Pakistan’s national sport and the current series has provided welcome relief to fans at a time of political drama, religious extremism and economic struggle.