Pak ready for India after Windies rout

Abu Dhabi, Nov 18 (UNI) On a high after a 3-0 whitewash of the West Indies in the just concluded one-day series here, Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said the victory will give his team a much needed boost for the home series against India.

''We need to work hard for the series against India and I am sure after this win with our morale high, we will put our best efforts in the next series,'' Malik told reporters here before leaving for Pakistan yesterday.

''I hope the boys carry the momentum and do their best against India. I think India is the same team we played against last year so it will be a good series,'' he said.

''The way India is playing we would need to be at our best. They played very well against Australia and we need to do extra work to win against them.'' India is due to play an exhibition match, three Tests, five one-day matches and a Twenty20 international during their tour of Pakistan early next year.

However, the uncertain security scenario in the strife torn country may force the series to be relocated to neutral venues.

Praising Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his excellent leadership skills, Malik said Dhoni's real test is yet to come.

''Whatever Dhoni does it clicks, but for me his real test will come when luck deserts him. We hope that comes against Pakistan,'' he hoped.

India thumped Australia 2-0 in the recent four-Test series at home and Pakistan are the clear underdogs, but Malik was confident his team will be ready for the challenge by the time the tour starts.

''We have two months to get ready for India and I am sure that the boys will do their best and the team management (will) plan well for that series,'' he asserted. ''We will have to sit down and chalk out some plans.

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