Monday, April 17 2006 16:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Abu Dhabi: India and Pakistan will renew their battle in the desert after a six-year gap putting behind the whiff of scandal associated with these venues for a noble cause when they play two one-day cricket matches here tomorrow (Apr 17, 2006) and the day after.

The desert venues have not been particularly lucky for the Indians but Rahul Dravid and his men, riding the crest of a successful run in one-dayers, will be keen to settle old scores with their arch rivals.

The two rivals have not played a match in the UAE since March 26, 2000 as the Indian Government had banned the team from playing in off-shore venues like Sharjah during the height of the match-fixing scandal.

But the lifting of the ban has allowed the two Cricket Boards to arrange the two-match series to raise funds for the earthquake victims of India and Pakistan.

The Indians have hardly had any time to savour their 5-1 triumph over England, flying in here the very morning after the seventh and final match in Indore on Saturday.

The victory was still hanging heavy, evident in the confident stride of the players as they geared up for another contest with their traditional foes, albeit at a new venue in the UAE - the Zayed Stadium which would be hosting its first ever ODI.

Hopefully, the new ground and new city will help the Indian team bury the ghosts of Sharjah where India have just won six of their 24 matches against Pakistan.

The Indians, no doubt, will draw confidence from their exploits during the last series against Pakistan when they beat them with an emphatic 4-1 margin.