| Series Name: | Pakistani cricket team in India in 1998–99 |
| Team1 Image: | Flag of India.svg |
| Team1 Name: | India |
| Team2 Image: | Flag of Pakistan.svg |
| Team2 Name: | Pakistan |
| From Date: | 23 January |
| To Date: | 13 February 1999 |
| Team1 Captain: | Mohammad Azharuddin |
| Team2 Captain: | Wasim Akram |
| No Of Tests: | 2 |
| Team1 Tests Won: | 1 |
| Team2 Tests Won: | 1 |
| Team1 Tests Most Runs: | Sadagoppan Ramesh (204) |
| Team2 Tests Most Runs: | Shahid Afridi (225) |
| Team1 Tests Most Wickets: | Anil Kumble (21) |
| Team2 Tests Most Wickets: | Saqlain Mushtaq (20) |
| Player Of Test Series: | Saqlain Mushtaq (Pak) |
The Pakistan national cricket team toured India in the 1998–99 season.[1] The two teams played two Tests. The series was drawn 1–1. The teams were originally scheduled to play three Tests but, the third Test became part of the 1998–99 Asian Test Championship.
The Pakistan team were to tour India after 12 years. It was reported in October 1998 that the tour would include three Tests and five One Day International (ODI) matches. The squad was scheduled to leave for India on 21 January 1999 with the opening Test starting on 3 February and the tour would wind up after the final ODI to be played on 15 March.[2] It was later reported that the three Tests would be played in Calcutta (now Kolkata), Madras (now Chennai) and Bangalore, and the ODIs (now reduced to three) in Mohali, Cuttack and Kanpur.[3]
However, threat of disruption by certain militant groups in response to the alleged Pakistani involvement in insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir meant the tour lay in jeopardy. Security for the touring party was assured by India's Prime Minister.[4] In January 1999, headquarters of the Board of Control for Cricket in India was vandalized[5] and activists of the Shiv Sena party dug up the wicket at the first Test venue in New Delhi, causing the match to be moved to the southern city of Madras (now Chennai). Some activists also protested at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi against the tour.[6] However, the Pakistan squad arrived in New Delhi on 21 January after threats were withdrawn and India's Home Minister holding an emergency meeting.[7] The number of Tests were reduced to two, and a third to be played as part of the 1998–99 Asian Test Championship, and the ODI series cancelled. Pakistan came to India on the back of a better Test record against India — seven wins against four losses in 44 matches.[8]
The Pakistan squad for the tour was named on 14 January 1999. The 16-member squad excluded Aamer Sohail with the uncapped Wajahatullah Wasti added as his replacement.[9] Two weeks prior, Wasim Akram had been appointed captain and Moin Khan his deputy.[8] A 14-member India squad was named on 21 January. Two players from the squad that toured New Zealand, batsmen Navjot Singh Sidhu and Ajay Jadeja were dropped. All-rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla and opening bat Sadagoppan Ramesh were included. Fast bowler Ajit Agarkar, nursing an injury, was left out for the first Test.[10]