KARACHI, Feb 22: Former master batsman Zaheer Abbas on Tuesday advised Pakistani players to stick to the crease at all costs if they want to put rival India under pressure in the opening Test at Mohali.

"Glue yourselves to the Indian pitches to the extent that they have to call police to budge you from there and score big in the first Test to gain a psychological advantage," he said.

Resolute batting would be vital in the outcome of the series, Pakistan's first on Indian soil for six years, said Zaheer, whose 78 Tests for Pakistan yielded 5,062 runs.

"My advice is to use your skill and don't give away wickets. The team which wins the first Test in Mohali will gain the advantage," said Zaheer, known locally as the Asian Don Bradman, after the legendary Australian batsman.

He said batsman Sachin Tendulkar was the key man for India. "For me Tendulkar's appearance will be vital as he is the binding force of the Indian batting and we saw how disorganised they were when Tendulkar did not play last year" on India's tour of Pakistan, Zaheer said. -AFP