Short Corner 8212; Chandigarh

Crucial Test for both teams
India8217;s strength and ability to handle pressure in crunch situations will come under severe test when they lock horns with traditional rivals Pakistan in the inaugural match of the Asian Test Championship beginning in Calcutta on Tuesday. With the honours shared 1-1 in the recent Test series, both teams would be determined to prove their superiority in what promises to be a classic battle of nerves and skill.

Hockey series
The abject surrender at Bhopal and Hyderabad had threatened to kill all interest in the India-Pakistan hockey series. India lost three in a row and faced the ignominy of a whitewash, when the Chennai fightback happened. That strategic 3-0 victory helped somewhat in recovering from two crushing losses, and it would also be the plank the Indians would hope to build upon as they renew battle with the neighbours in the five-match Pakistan leg starting on Tuesday.

Match-fixing
The Pakistan cricket team8217;s journey to India is turning to be a nightmare of sorts. What will probably force the team in for serious behind-the-door huddle tonight is that the betting controversy has broken out again, on the eve of the first Test of the Asian Test Championships.

Punjab bag two golds
Punjab won the first gold of the National Games in Imphal with Vikramjit Singh winning the foil event of fencing. Lakshmikant of Karnataka bagged silver while the bronze went to Mathew Anne also of Punjab.