RAWALPINDI, Feb 25: A buoyant India were on Saturday aiming to secure a victory against Pakistan in the last match of the six- Test series they have already lost.

The wooden spooners of last December’s Champions Trophy are confident of beating the hosts on Sunday at the Army Stadium just as they did in Faisalabad Friday where they won 2-1.

Captain Ignace Tirkey believes if his side played to its potential there was no reason for them to lose.

“The boys are picking up well after being beaten in the first leg at home and we are going to go all out tomorrow.”

India were blanked 3-0 at home before recovering to hold Pakistan to a 1-1 draw at Lahore in the second leg and then notched up their first win of the series in the fifth Test.

“In the initial matches our finishing was not up to the mark but now have been able to make amends,” Tirkey said at the pre-match press conference.

Team coach Rajinder Singh pointed out that the side under his command was young which had led to the early hiccups.

“It is a new team and we have to understand that our training camp for this series also began quite late.”

India ignored the in-form Gagan Ajit Singh and also dropped Deepak Thakur, Viren Rasquinha and Prabhjot Singh following the Champions Trophy in December.

“We have an eye on the Commonwealth Games and I think the current series has provided us a good opportunity to plan out for that event,” said Rajinder.

Looking to the Games in Melbourne next month, the Indian management will be giving an opportunity on Sunday to all the players that form part of their plans.

“Such series should also be held at the junior level and if we are able to have two each year (seniors and juniors) the subcontinent hockey will benefit greatly.”

Pakistan on the other hand intend to start the match at full strength and might experiment as the match progresses, coach Asif Bajwa told journalists.

“We are lucky to have got this series which is the only stage for us to try out new players before the major events this year.”

Pakistan, besides featuring in the Commonwealth Games have to compete in the Champions Trophy, the World Cup and the preceding qualifiers and the Asian Games during the current year.

“I feel we have achieved our objectives from this series and once we are done with tomorrow’s game, our entire focus will be on the tougher tournaments.”

Asif however made it clear that they were taking Sunday’s match seriously.

“Having won the series does not mean we have no interest in the match. This is our last chance for us to experiment and therefore it is a very important Test.”

While both teams were raring to go, heavy rain that continued throughout the day was showing no signs of let-up and could affect attendance at the match.

The organisers were praying for the rain to subside.

“We have not been able to put things in place and even if everything clears up tomorrow morning, we will be in a race against time,” said Ikhlaque Usmani, Director North of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

Meanwhile, both teams arrived here by road from Faisalabad and were greeted by officials of the local hockey association.