India and Pakistan resumed Test-playing relations after an 18-year gap.For a change, after two previous series in which all the matches were drawn, this one produced a result. Pakistan, armed with her Packer players again, inflicted a decisive two-nil defeat on the Indians, who batted well but could not bowl the opposition out.Zaheer and Javed were particularly heavy scorers.
The Pakistan government was so pleased after the victory at Lahore that they declared a public holiday. The home side also won the one-day series when India conceded in protest at persistent short-pitched and wide bowling which the umpires did not penalise.
The Indians caused an upset at Sahiwal when they walked out of an official reception but the tour was generally conducted in a friendly manner and the tourists found the host country hospitable. The Indian manager, Mr Gaekwad, presented a trophy bearing his name to the winners of the series, which would be competed for in future years.
Man Singh was the Secretary of Hyderabad Cricket Association.
Selectors
P R Umrigar (chairman), Kishen Rungta, V L Mehra, D G Phadkar, M L Jaisimha. They met in Bombay.
Selection
The Manager, Gaekwad, was widely known as Jackie Baroda. His appointment was announced on 27 August and the captain's on 30 August.
After a 'conditioning camp' in Bangalore between 5 and 14 September the selectors chose a team out of 25 probables.
Unavailable:Barun Burman (injured hand)
Tour Party Announced : 19 September 1978.
Just five days after the announcement of the team, the team left for Pakistan.
Not selected:Nawab of Pataudi; Venkat Sunderam (D), LHB opener, was a reserve.
He never played for India but after his playing career Sunderam bcame a state selector, coach for Uttar Pradesh, and chairman of BCCI's Grounds and Pitches committee
Time between selection and departure from India
5 days(19 - 24 September)
Travel
On 24 September 1978 the Indians flew from Bombay to Karachi. The manager, F R Gaekwad, the former Maharaja of Baroda, was met by Amir Elahi who, like Vijay Hazare and Dattu Gaekwad, was one of his former aides-de-camp.