28 March 2004	Sunday	06 Safar 1425

KARACHI, March 27: The three-match Test series between Pakistan and India, the first on Pakistan soil for more than 14 years, gives both teams a chance to boost their ratings on the ICC Test Championship table.

Currently, Pakistan are third behind undisputed world champions Australia (125 points) and South Africa (113) with a tally of 101 points. India, on the other hand are placed fifth after their strong showing in the drawn series in Australia boosted their rating from 95 to 100.

Pakistan have the advantage of not losing since being 2-0 to South Africa 15 months ago in an away series. Steadily, they climbed from eighth to third in the ICC's official standings after defeating Bangladesh (3-0), South Africa (1-0) at home before winning 1-0 in New Zealand in their last series.

If Pakistan do win 1-0 against India, it may not be enough for them to retain their current standing because both New Zealand and England are on verge of winning their series against South Africa and West Indies respectively.

However, if Pakistan manage to win 2-0, it will suit them. In case of a 3-0 whitewash, it will boost Pakistan's rating to 108 - easily their highest rating since a new system of calculation was established in June last year - and move them within striking distance of second spot.

At the other end of the scale, a a 1-0 Indian victory would improve their rating to 102 while Pakistan would slide to 99. A large win margin would allow India to open a bigger gap. It means if India triumph 2-0, their rating would go up to 104 against Pakistan's 97. Similarly, a 3-0 result in favour of India would help their rating to 105 to Pakistan's 96.

Finally, if the series is shared (drawn), both the old Asian rivals will retain current ratings.

India have already gained psychological advantage by overtaking Pakistan in the official ODI table by a solitary point in the final fixture on Wednesday.

ICC Test Championship table before the start of Pakistan-India series on Sunday (tabulated under position, country, rating):

1      Australia       125



2      South Africa    113



3      Pakistan        102



4      England         101



5      India           100



6      New Zealand     100



7      Sri Lanka        96



8      West Indies      82



9      Zimbabwe         55



10     Bangladesh        1