India eye repeat success
Pakistan begin their first Test series in India on Tuesday, pinning their hope on history repeating itself and a dramatic reversal in recent form.
Pakistan begin their first Test series in India for six years on Tuesday, pinning their hopes on history repeating itself and a dramatic reversal in recent form.
The visitors clinched a 1-0 victory in a six-Test series in 1986-87, and on their last tour in 1999 drew the Test series 1-1 before claiming victory in an Asian Test championship match.
Pakistan are in some disarray this time, however, with injury to flamboyant strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar adding to the gloom of a recent 3-0 drubbing in Australia.
They have also endured a wretched time in the build-up to the series after poor weather badly curtailed their only three-day warm-up game.
India, on the other hand, are upbeat going into the three- Test series and six One-Day Internationals.
Top batsman Sachin Tendulkar is fit after struggling with a long-term tennis elbow injury, and the hosts will reach their highest ever Test ranking of number two behind Australia if they beat their neighbours 2-0.
Saurav Ganguly's team will draw strength from last year's 2-1 maiden series triumph in Pakistan, which capped their first Test tour across the border for 14 years.
INCREDIBLE PRESSURE
Pure form, however, has seldom decided the outcome of cricket contests between the two countries.
Players on both sides have always had to contend with incredible pressure from fans due to the history of political rivalry in the cricket-crazy south Asian neighbours.
The Indian government stopped all bilateral games against Pakistan in 2000 due to political tension until it was lifted in late 2003.
Although cricket matches in both countries have been marred by unruly crowd behaviour, the thaw in ties has begun to be reflected on the pitch.
Indian players and fans were overwhelmed by Pakistani hospitality in 2004 and thousands of Pakistan supporters are due to arrive to a warm reception for the first Test in Mohali, which is in Punjab state bordering Pakistan.
Around 8,000 Pakistan fans are expected travel on special trains and buses.
