And to think that for a while in the mid-80s there was a series held every year. Despite protests at the umpiring from both sides, there were tours to Pakistan in 1982-83 and 1984-85 with a return visit in 1983-84.

All this seemed too good to last and indeed, the 1986-87 series saw the first signs of major trouble with crowd disturbances against the Pakistan team at Ahmedabad. This was followed by a zealot jumping over the fence in the first Test at Karachi during the 1989-90 series and assaulting the Indian captain Srikkanth. Crowd invasion of the pitch during a One Day International at Karachi brought the tour to an unhappy end.

While it is a happy augury that the teamswill be finally meeting for the 45th encounter when the first Test of the current two-match series commences at the M A Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday, there is no denying that the contest could be held in a more congenial atmosphere. For the moment, even the prospect of an India-Pakistan Test match has to be weighed against the unprecedented security measures taken in view of the Shiv Sena agitation against the tour. And even though the stir has been withdrawn, the fact that the original security measures planned are still very much in place has led to a tension-filled ambience.

This is something the series can do without. For there has always been a strong under-current of pressure whenever India and Pakistan have met. Perhaps, it is their ability to handle this stress situation better that has led to Pakistan having the better record. They have won seven matches to India's four. They have won Tests -- and even a series -- in India whereas India is yet to win even one Test in 20 contests in Pakistan,dating back to 1955.

An encounter between India and Pakistan has almost always drawn capacity crowds, such is the unique interest in these contests. No matter if the majority of the games have been dull encounters, reinforced by the fact that 33 of the 44 Tests played have ended in draws.

And yet, there is something about this series that raises expectations of a keen contest. For one thing, this comes naturally when the teams are meeting after such a long time, recalling a similiar sense of anticipation in 1978. Secondly, the composition of the sides is enough to whet the appetite of the cricket lover.

There is little doubt that India's batting is formidable. The two opening batsman Sadagoppan Ramesh and VVS Laxman may be unknown quantities comparatively, but thereafter, a batting line-up that includes Dravid, Tendulkar, Azharuddin and Ganguly is enough to give any bowler nightmares. The bowling however is another matter, even at home and an attack of Srinath, Prasad, Kumble and Harbhajan Singh (orJoshi) looks stingless, especially on a wicket which is expected to be full of runs.

But even on such a pitch, the duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis can be a handful, particularly for an untried opening pair. And the spin of Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed (if he recovers from his stiff neck) gives the Pakistan attack a distinct advantage.

India will not be fielding all-rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Hrishikesh Kanitkar while narrowing down the squad to 12. For the Indian bowlers, the signs are ominous that Pakistan's top-order batsmen have run into form if the scores in the tour opener at Gwalior are any indications.

All said and done, the fact remains that the Indian team, while being lambs abroad, are tigers at home. Since losing the five match series 1-0 to Pakistan in 1986-87, India have played short rubbers against the West Indies, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, England, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia and have emerged unbeaten. That may be the ultimate comforting thought for the Indians and aslightly disturbing one for Pakistan.

The teams:

Pakistan (from): Wasim Akram (capt), Moin Khan (vice captain), Saeed Anwar, Ijaz Ahmed, Salim Malik, Inzamam-ul Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Shahid Afridi, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Azhar Mahmood, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed and Nadeem Khan.

India (from): Mohd Azharuddin (capt), Nayan Mongia, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly, Venkata Sai Laxman, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Anil Kumble, Sunil Joshi, Sadagopan Ramesh and Harbhajan Singh.

Umpires: Steve Dunne (New Zealand) and V K Ramaswamy (India).

Third umpire: A V Jayaprakash (third umpire).

Match referee: Cammie Smith (West Indies).

Hours of play: 10 am to 12 noon. 12.40 to 3.40 pm. 3 to 5 pm.