For the third successive year India and Pakistan travelled to Canada in September 1998 to play in the Friendship Cup. Once again, the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club played host.
Both India and Pakistan were also part of the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games that time, which, for the first time, had included cricket. While Pakistan sent a full team to Canada and a second team to Malaysia, India sent two teams of similar strength. It backfired.
Mohammad Azharuddin led India in Toronto and Aamer Sohail skippered Pakistan. The action began on 12 September.
India won the toss and chose to field. Despite a wet outfield delaying the start of play, it remained a 50-over match.
Pakistan found runs hard to come by, and boundaries were relatively few and far between. Several batters got starts. Saeed Anwar made 35, while Saleem Malik top-score with 41 in 74 balls, including four fours. With wickets falling at regular intervals, India pegged Pakistan back.
Their final total of 189/9 never looked like being enough. Sourav Ganguly, with his gentle medium pacers, was the most successful Indian bowler with 3-33, while Javagal Srinath took 3-37.
Ganguly then reverted to his more traditional role as opening bat, sharing an opening stand of 37 with Navjot Sidhu before retiring hurt. Sidhu (45) and Azharuddin (28) added 54 for the second wicket. After both fell in quick succession, India had a mid-innings wobble.
However, Ganguly returned to the crease to add 46 with Hrishikesh Kanitkar and 34 with Jatin Paranjpe. By the time that Ganguly retired for a second time, he had done his job, making 54, including eight fours.
He had helped take India within touching distance of victory, and Paranjpe, who was 23 not out including a six, ensured that they got there in the company of Nayan Mongia.
India had chased down their target for the loss of four wickets and with more than six overs in hand.
Ganguly was once again named Player of the Match, for his exploits with both bat and ball.