The nine-Test series (four matches in India and five in Pakistan) which was finalised today, feels Rasool, is a step towards that. ``If we are united, the whole world will bow and be threatened by our traditional sub-continental style of play.'' He should know for sure as he has been the `pivot' of the team which was on top of the world during the eighties.Taking Pakistan back to those days should be a tough task. But Rasool has got the right inspiration after Pakistan finished runner-up at the recent Champions Trophy.

``In Pakistan, there is no system to bring up good players,''says Rasool. But they still produce world class players from nowhere. The Champions Trophy was a indication of that because after sacking the seniors the new-look team managed to reach the title round despite a poor beginning. That seems to be the difference between the two countries. In India there is a system going but no players.

Rasool has picked 45 boys under the age of 14 from all over the country to be trained at the PHF Academy in Lahore. The accent is more on physical fitness and the practice of selecting boys will be continued every year. They would be figuring in the junior and sub-junior teams which will form part of the exchange tour between the two countries.

Itinerary (Indian leg, four matches)

Feb 3: 1st Test (New Delhi); Feb 5: 2nd Test (Bhopal); Feb 8: 3rd Test (Hyderabad); Feb 10: 4th Test: (Chennai)

Pakistan leg (five matches): Feb 16: 5th Test (Lahore); Feb 18: 6th Test (Karachi); Feb 20: 7th Test (Peshawar); Feb 22: 8th Test (Rawalpindi); Feb 24: 9th Test (Lahore).