A watered down version of the Sahara Cup, once contested between Test giants Pakistan and India, was staged indoors at the Roger's Centre in Toronto last weekend.

It was the first time the two fierce rivals had competed against each other on Canadian soil since 1998.

India, led by all-rounder Ajaysingh Jadeja, thrashed Wasim Akram's Pakistan by seven-wickets in the Legends of Cricket contest at the home of Major League Baseball's Toronto Bluejays.

Yet it was the game itself that emerged as the real winner as the bitter rivals put political strife aside and put on a memorable performance for the 10,000 strong in attendance that braved freezing temperatures outside — and falling ice from the nearby CN Tower.

"Ten years ago it wasn't a sport, you just had to win," said former Pakistan Test skipper Akram, an obvious favourite among those in the stands. "But now it is so we can relax and play our game and let the very best team win. "And I'm glad this is happening because at the end of the day somebody has to win and somebody has to lose."

Akram, renowned for his ability to swing the old ball, failed to trouble the Indian batsmen on this occasion but was able to compensate with the bat. The former Lancashire fast bowler top scored for his beloved country, belting a boundary filled 52 before he was run out attempting a risky single.

"I felt bad, of course," he smiled, between innings.

"I retired in 2003 and so it has been three years since I touched a cricket bat."

Pakistan could only muster a paltry 109 runs against India's attack spearheaded by seamers Atul Wassan and Harvinder Singh who seized three for 28 and three for 31 respectively.

Led by a dashing 41 from the bat of Atul Vassan, India cruised to victory in only 17 overs, but not before losing three quick wickets to temporarily revive Pakistani hopes.

The two countries previously played against each other annually at the Toronto Cricket Club for the Sahara Cup before India declined to play in 1999 because of the Kashmir dispute and then withdrew from the event in 2000.

In 1997 Akram's successor, Inzaman -ul-Haq, made headlines in Toronto for all the wrong reasons when he ventured beyond the boundary ropes to tackle a fan.

The two countries have been bitter rivals on the cricket pitch for decades, a rivalry made all the more intense following the division of India and formation of Pakistan in 1947.

And while those on centre stage at the Roger's Centre proved to be on their best behaviour, Pakistan seamer Aqib Javed gave a 'friendly' reminder of past battles by sending down a series of bouncers on the true artificial pitch that had the Indian batsmen smelling leather.

"When India plays Pakistan, the game is always serious," said India manager Madan Lal. "It may have been an exhibition match, but there's always a lot of energy."