It had been five years since relations between India and Pakistan had allowed the two teams to meet on a cricket field, even at a neutral venue.
However, by March 2004, things had thawed to the extent that India decided to tour Pakistan to play five ODIs and three Test matches, but not before sending a small team in advance to make sure appropriate security arrangements were in place.
The tour began with a warm-up match against Pakistan A, which the home side won by four wickets chasing down an Indian score of 335/6.
However, the action began in earnest with the first ODI, which was staged in Karachi.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl, but India got off to a good start, with Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar putting on 69 for the first wicket. Tendulkar fell for 28, but Sehwag and captain Sourav Ganguly then put on 73, before Sehwag, who had struck a six and 14 fours, was out for 79.
Rahul Dravid then came to the crease and dominated strike, adding 72 for the third wicket with Ganguly, who finally fell for 45. Agonisingly, Dravid fell one short of his century, with eight fours. Mohammad Kaif's 46 then helped India to a final total of 349/7.
Pakistan lost both openers Yasir Hameed and Imran Farhat early in their reply, but Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq then came together, sharing in a partnership of 145 until Youssuf was dismissed for 73, with four sixes.
Then it was the turn of Inzamam to bat with Younis Khan. They added 109 before, before Inzamam’s innings came to an end. He had scored 122 off 102 balls, and finished with two sixes and 12 fours against his name.
India, though, put the squeeze on, and the asking rate began to edge up. Younis made 46, but, in the end, Pakistan just fell short, finishing on 344/8.
India had won by five runs.
Inzamam had the consolation of being named Player of the Match.