LAHORE, Feb 5: Chief selector Wasim Bari claimed that the forthcoming tour of India was as tough as the Australia one but the Pakistan team could meet the challenge by showing strong physical strength and mental alertness.

"The Indian tour had always been difficult for Pakistan because of certain reasons and beating India in India is as tough as defeating Australia in Australia," Wasim, who watched the third day of the four-day match between South and North at Qadhaffi Stadium said.

Wasim stressed that the Pakistan had shown fighting spirit in the last three matches of the tri-series and after juniors the seniors also turned in impressive performances.

"I do hope that with the same fighting spirit Pakistan can win in India," he hoped.

Pakistan is scheduled to visit India, after six years, from Feb 25 to play three Tests and five One-day matches.

He said that it was the first time that eight youngsters were included in the team and that bunch clicked.

The chief selector avoided discussing formation of the squad for the Indian trip, but hinted that two spinners could be included.

"The load will be on the spin department as the Indians are very much likely to follow their tradition of preparing spinning wickets," he said.

He said that the process of identifying the players had already been started and this four-day match was also a step in that direction.

Wasim said that five to six players had impressed him a lot, namely, all-rounder Yasir Arafat and Rizwan Ahmed, middle-order batsman Aamir Bashir, off-spinner Tahir Khan and leg-spinners Imran Tahir and Jalat Khan.

He said that paceman Shoaib Akhtar would be considered only after the selection committee got a green signal from the PCB.

Shoaib had been levelled charges by the board of breaching the central contract during the Australian tour and he has to give a written reply till Monday.