The situation was exactly the same. Fifteen runs were required for victory with the last wicket pair at the crease. But this time, the final scenario was different. Ninety seven years ago, Hirst and Rhodes got the runs (not all of them in singles though) to steer England to a notable triumph.

Srinath and Prasad however could not live up to these heroics and Pakistan won the first Test against India by 12 runs in one of the great matches in the history of Indian cricket.

Excellent performances and fluctuating fortunes had been the features of the Test over the past three days and the events on the final day today were inkeeping with this trend. It certainly was a pity that Sachin Tendulkar's stupendous 136 was not crowned with the team's success, but then, one must pay tribute to the Pakistan team and the manner in which they fought on even when the match seemed to have irrevocably swung India's way.

If, in one way, it can be said that India lost a match which they should have won, then it must also be said in the same breath that Pakistan won a match they looked to have lost. Ultimately, the game of cricket was the winner; it was just one of those things that there had to be a loser.

When play resumed this morning, Pakistan were the favourites. And they seemed to have wrapped up the match when shortly before lunch, India were 82 for 5. There was some drama involving the umpires on every day of the match and today, the controversy centred around Ganguly's dismissal.

The resurrection of the innings was launched by Tendulkar and Mongia. As the stand prospered, the despondent crowd turned lively again, engulfed by thegripping cricket being played out in the middle. Only 61 runs were scored in 30 overs between lunch and tea as India inched their way towards the target of 271. Hereabouts, the Pakistan players started appealing loudly for just about everything. There was a touch of desperation in their ranks as the pendulum swung India's way, ever so slowly.

And then, after tea, with batsmanship that was superlative even by his own standards, Tendulkar blazed away. Four boundaries in an over from Saqlain took him to 98, but it was during this time that he had a stroke of good fortune with Moin Khan messing up a stumping chance when he was 90. His 18th century in his 65th Test -- and his first against Pakistan -- duly came up and India were now cruising along with 71 runs being scored in the first hour after tea off just 11 overs.

By now, the first signs of panic had hit the Pakistan players. Half a dozen of them converged frequently for lengthy consultations and Tendulkar's brilliance had both Akram and Younis kickingthe air in disgust as he drove and pulled them for majestic boundaries.

In the company of Tendulkar, Mongia naturally had to play the role of a supporting actor, but no praise can be too high for his part in the resurrection act. He and Tendulkar tackled the new ball with confidence and it seemed that Pakistan had played their last card.

But just when the match seemed to have slipped out of their grasp, once and for all, Pakistan got what they wanted -- a breakthrough in the form of Mongia's wicket. But was it in the nature of too little, too late, especially since Tendulkar was still there?

It did seem so as Tendulkar, secure in defence and ruthless in attack, brought up the 250 with a series of breathtaking strokes. The target was now under 20. Surely, now an Indian victory was only a matter of time.

But in this Test of twists and turns, there now occurred the final retribution act. An exhausted Tendulkar holed out to mid-off and suddenly, with an unexpected avenue open, a galvanised Pakistan side,refusing to accept defeat, made deep inroads into the Indian batting so quickly that the crowd was stunned into silence.

First Kumble fell to Akram and then off the next delivery, Joshi gave Saqlain a return catch and 254 for 6 had become 256 for 9. The hunter had become the hunted and not surprisingly, Srinath soon played on to Saqlain, who fittingly enough, set the seal on Pakistan's triumph. It was their second successive victory in India, having won the final Test of the 1987 series at Bangalore. also in a cliff hanger, by 16 runs.