Blood-thirsty rivals set for heady clash in Asia's Ashes

The last time Tendulkar faced the lethal duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis at the Test level was when he made his international debut as a 16-year-old prodigy in Pakistan in 1989.

Now one of the game's leading batsmen, the 25-year-old faces a severe test of his reputation as Pakistan go for the kill in their first Test on Indian soil in 12 years.

``We know he is the best, it will obviously be important to get him early,'' said Akram, the Pakistani captain, who has played against Tendulkar in one-day cricket in the intervening period.

Akram, the only bowler to have more than 300 wickets in both Test and one-dayers, said he was unfazed by India's strong batting and their 12-year unbeaten series record at home.

``I am inspired by the fact that the last time India lost a series at home was against us in 1987,'' Akram said. ``I think we have the talent to repeat the feat.

``Moreover, we are known to play well abroad, just as India do at home. It should be a great contest,'' he said ahead of the first Test at the heavily-guarded Chepauk stadium here.

Security is tight, despite Hindu militants having called off a campaign to disrupt the Test series.

Even the media was prevented from attending the match-eve training sessions as 6,000 security staff ringed the stadium and approach roads.

There are few rivalries in international sport more intense than between Pakistan and India in cricket, the sub-continent's version of the Ashes encounters between England and Australia.

The two back-to-back Tests promise exhilarating cricket even though both teams are struggling to overcome poor form and embarrassing recent defeats.

Pakistan come to India after being tamed in their own backyard, first by Mark Taylor's mighty Australians and then quite unexpectedly by unfancied Zimbabwe.

India, who have won just one Test match abroad since 1986 despite an enviable home record, lost to New Zealand earlier this month.

Cricket fans in both country will, however, forget the past as the bitter rivals cross swords again after more than a decade.

Tendulkar and skipper Mohammad Azharuddin are the only Indians to have experienced the overcharged atmosphere of an Indo-Pakistan Test. Four Pakistanis -- Akram, Younis, Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmed -- have played before against India.

India are expected to pick three spinners and Pakistan as many fast bowlers on the grassless Chepauk wicket that affords bounce on the first day before taking turn later in the match.

``This wicket suits us,'' said Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin, who defeated Mark Taylor's mighty Australians here a year ago.

The rival captains brushed aside speculation they will adopt negative tactics to ensure they don't lose -- akin to a national disaster in both countries.

Of the 44 Tests between the two countries, 33 have ended in draws, but both Akram and Azharuddin said they will go for a win.

``It's every Pakistani cricketer's dream to beat India in India,'' said Akram. ``I am no different. I want to win.''

Azharuddin responded: ``We will be positive because the fear of defeat can often backfire.''

Pakistan (from): Wasim Akram (capt), Wajahatullah Wasti, Saeed Anwar, Ijaz Ahmed, Salim Malik, Inzamam-ul Haq, Yousuf Youhanna, Moin Khan, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed.

India (from): Mohammad Azharuddin (capt), Sadagopan Ramesh, Venkat Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Nayan Mongia, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Anil Kumble, Sunil Joshi, Harbhajan Singh, Laxmi Shukla, Hrishikesh Kanitkar

Umpires: Steve Dunne (New Zealand) and Venkat Ramaswamy (India)