Hyderabad, June 15: The first "clash" between the traditional rivals of subcontinent was abandoned because of early monsoon showers on Saturday.

That match, however, was inconsequent as both Indian XI and Pakistan XI had already booked their berths in the final with easy wins over New Zealand, who, more or less, came as a dummy team to make it as three-nation tournament.

The stage is now set for the summit clash which will be a day/night affair at the Lal Bahadur Stadium tomorrow. The winners will get $ 25,000 plus the Siyaram's Cup, which is being conducted by the Hyderabad Cricket Association to honour the three former cricketers -- Eddie Aibara, S R Mehta and Ghulam Ahmed.

A full house is expected but the crowd will indeed be disappointed as Sachin Tendulkar would not be playing but former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin may turn up for the `crucial' match.

The recent Chennai disaster which dashed their Independence Cup hopes, may be fresh in the Indian team's mind. A title-triumph would give them some solace.

The strong batting line-up of the Pakistani team had the Indians running for cover. They put up an imposing total more than the one scored at Chennai with burly striker Inzamam-ul-Haq blasting the Indian bowlers at will. Later on in the innings, veteran Salim Malik and teenager Hasan Raja made sure of a big Pakistan total.

Acting skipper Anil Kumble had no clue. Medium pacer Dodda Ganesh sprayed the ball and Pakistan batsmen took full advantage of it. Even Kumble was not spared. It was left to gutsy Robin Singh and enthusiastic Noel David to check the run rate. Off-spinner David bowled quite intelligently and fielded brilliantly, as is his wont.

Venkatesh Prasad, who was declared the Ceat International Cricketer of the Year yesterday, will be back in place of Ganesh.

If the Indian bowling keeps the strong Pakistan batting line-up of Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam, Malik and skipper Rameez Raja quiet, then the battle is won by the home side. Pakistan's bowling is not at full strength.

But medium pacer Aaqib Javed always finds extra energy while bowling against India.

The match starts at 1 p.m.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.