LAHORE, Jan 10: India record-breaking batsman Sachin Tendulkar said on Tuesday India would have to maintain their intensity right through cricket series as any let-up could be exploited by Pakistan who would pose “a much bigger challenge this time around”.

He was not unduly bothered by Pakistan’s strategy of preparing bouncy wickets, saying his teammates were used to playing on all kinds of wickets.

He also said he had not set any specific targets for the series and would just concentrate on playing “tough and positive cricket”.

“The key to the series is sticking to the basics. To win Tests you need to play well right through the match,” Tendulkar told reporters at interactive media session at team hotel here.

“I have not set myself any specific targets for the series. I never have done so in my career. My aim is to play positive and tough cricket. There are big challenges ahead and I want to enjoy playing,” he said.

He also sought to downplay his much-hyped encounter with Shoaib Akhtar, saying home team had a quality attack not only in Rawalpindi Express but in three or four other bowlers as well.

“He’s (Akhtar) been bowling well, but I would like to focus on what I need to do rather than the opposition. Pakistan has a quality bowling attack and it’s not Shoaib alone there. There are 3-4 others too. We have to be on our toes as it’s going to be a tough battle out there.”

The world’s highest run-getter in one-dayers also said although he had made his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi 16 years ago, he was yet to focus his sight on the venue to which he would be returning for third and final Test of the series.

“I came here in 2004 after a 15-year-gap. We did well here (winning both Test & ODI series against Pakistan). We are all hoping to repeat the performance. I have not yet thought about playing in Karachi again where I made my Test debut 16 years ago. It’s too far ahead and at the moment I am focussing on the Test here,” he added.

India did not play a Test match in Karachi on their last visit in 2004 but are playing a Test as well as a one-dayer to round up this tour on February 19.

He said playing against Pakistan was special but for players it did not matter who the opposition was once he donned his India colours.

“International cricket is competitive. I know when India plays Pakistan there’s more excitement. It’s a special series. (But) wearing India colours is the inspiration for us and it doesn’t matter who we play against,” he said.

Tendulkar was a bit flummoxed when asked whether India and Pakistan were playing each other too often these days.

“When we did not play each other often earlier the question asked was why didn’t we play each other more often. And now when we are playing regularly the questions asked is why we are playing so often. We should find right balance and I am sure the two boards would find it.”

Tendulkar warned that the recent winning run by rival Pakistan will help them pose a stronger challenge than they did in 2004.

“Pakistan have been playing well and have carried a good momentum. I think this series will be more competitive than in 2004,” Tendulkar told reporters.

“Pakistan has shown confidence and a right kind of attitude, so it would definitely be a tough series,” said Tendulkar, who scored a world record 35th Test hundred last month.

Tendulkar, however, said India too will be well-prepared against Pakistan when the first of three Tests begins at the Gaddafi stadium on Friday.

“To carry that 2004 experience would be important for us. But we don’t need to be over-confident,” he said.

“International cricket is always competitive but, to be honest, the excitement of an India-Pakistan series does affect the players because there is so much hype in both countries.

“One feels it is a special series. But it is all about competitiveness, nothing more than that. We eventually go out and play cricket but it gets very hard.”—Agencies