29 February 2004	Sunday	08 Muharram 1425

LAHORE, Feb 28: The world's fastest bowler Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar has got started the war of words by issuing the challenge to India ahead of their historic cricket series.

He feels his side have the "edge playing at home and are more penetrative as a unit.

"If we play as a team we will win," Shoaib was quoted by Press Trust of India as saying on Saturday.

"Cricket is a different game every day. New day, new ball, new game. We have to start from scratch, they have to start from scratch once again."

Nevertheless, the pace ace sees the series as an intriguing battle between bat and ball, but one that he anxiously looking forward to.

"They (Indians) could have performed well in Australia, but it is a new game and new series," he added.

"They have to struggle to perform. We too have to struggle to perform against them to win."

India, open their five-match one-day series with a game in Karachi on March 13. The tourists will also play three Tests on their 39-day tour, the first one in nearly 15 years, beginning on March 11 with a practice match in Lahore.-PPI