EUAN McINTYRE, the Scotland team manager, is ready to team up with Indian counterpart Lal Rajput to finish a job they started 20 years ago.

The pair go head-to-head tomorrow in a Twenty20 World Cup clash which could decide whether the Scots qualify for the Super 8s.

Before then the Saltires square up to Pakistan in their tournament opener in Durban today while the Indians face their sub-continent rivals on Friday.

McIntyre is hoping for a Scotland/India double against the Group D favourites. The former Heriot's and Scotland spinner insists that would be sweet revenge for a defeat he and Rajput suffered in the only game they played together as team-mates.

McIntyre said: "Lal and I played for Scotland against Pakistan in 1987. He was the professional at Perthshire at the time and was drafted into the side as our overseas player.

"Pakistan came out on top that day but it would be brilliant if we could both get our revenge by seeing Scotland and India qualify from the group.

"I didn't even realise Lal was coming to the tournament as India's manager until I met him at one of the official pre-tournament meetings. It's been great to catch up with him again and recall old times."

McIntyre said his Pakistan counterpart, Talat Ali, has provided all the motivation the Scots need to create a shock result today. He said: "At the same meeting the Pakistani manager was asking lots of questions about the next stage of the tournament and his tone suggested he reckons it's a formality they will get through. Hopefully, that will inspire our guys to produce something special."

The make up of the side was still the subject of fierce debate last night, with co-coaches Pete Steindl and Andy Tennant unlikely to reveal their hand until shortly before the start. They were, however, hit by a double injury scare.

Wicketkeeper Colin Smith is suffering from a badly swollen wrist after being hit during the team's nets session while captain Ryan Watson took no part in the practise because of back spasms.

McIntyre said: "We're hoping both guys will be fit to play against Pakistan. Colin hasn't broken any bones and providing the swelling goes down overnight he will play. Ryan is undergoing treatment and should also be okay."

The Scots have no specialist wicketkeeping cover for Smith but Gavin Hamilton, who kept wicket during the team's tour of Kenya earlier in the year, is on standby to take the gloves.

Craig Wright may keep his place in the side despite two poor showings in the warm-up games while the selectors must also decide between Gregor Maiden and Fraser Watts as opening partner for Watson.

McIntyre admitted: "It's one of the toughest selections we've ever had with so much to take into consideration. Craig found it tough going in the practise games but I don't think you can condemn people on the strength of a couple of games."

The spin bowlers Majid Haq and Ross Lyons are certain starters after starring against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan all-rounder Yasir Arafat is gunning for his old Saltires and Clydesdale team-mates today. Arafat, who spent two seasons with the Saltires and six with Clydesdale, said: "It's great to see Ross (Lyons) and Qasim (Sheikh) in the team because they have a lot of talent. The same goes for the rest of the Scotland team. I know they can be dangerous but hopefully we will be too strong for them."