This time we will change history: Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly threw down a challenge on the eve of the team's departure, saying that India's past record in Pakistan counted for little. He was speaking to the media after the three-day conditioning camp in Kolkata.

"History means little to me. I know that, except Sachin Tendulkar, no one in my team has played Test cricket in Pakistan. I also know that India have never won a Test match in Pakistan," Ganguly said. "But no Indian team had reached the World Cup final after 1983 till we did it last year. No Indian team had squared a Test series in Australia in the last two decades.

"I believe in the present. We are going to Pakistan tomorrow and we are going there to win. I am not going to carry excess baggage on out flight to Lahore. Neither will I allow the minds of our youngsters to be clouded by what happened in the past.

"This time we will change history."

Ganguly spoke about the series being labelled as one of goodwill and friendship, and denied it would lack aggression and competition, saying, "I don't think the series will lose its intensity because this trip is supposed to be a goodwill trip. Because at the end of the day, it's cricket you are playing."

Ganguly had a prod at Pakistan's pace attack, and Shoaib Akhtar in particular. "Shoaib is a good bowler - he has the pace. But he is going to lead a Pakistani attack, which he has never done before. He always played under the shadow of Wasim [Akram] and Waqar [Younis]. Leading the Pakistan attack will be a different ball game. He will be under pressure to pick wickets whenever he comes on to bowl."

Talking about his own bowlers, Ganguly played up Murali Kartik and Ramesh Powar's abilities. "It is a challenge for me also - how I am going to handle them on the field. I think they have talent, are good prospects, and should deliver the goods for India like Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Kaif, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan have done."

Asked about the comparative bowling strengths of both teams, Ganguly said, "it depends on how you gauge strengths and weaknesses. If you consider sheer pace as a team's strength then we are weak. If you take into consideration bowling a proper line and length, containing batsmen and taking wickets, then that is our strength."

His parting comment summed up the team's attitude. "It will be a new battle for Team India against another opposition. My boys will be up for it."