'If Pakistan prepare seaming tracks, they've got the edge'

Aaqib Javed on Rahul Dravid:'For Dravid I would try different deliveries and experiment...you can't have one plan against him' © Getty Images

Aaqib Javed tasted considerable success against the Indian batsmen in his time and will always be remembered as one who got the better of Sachin Tendulkar on most ocassions. He spoke to Cricinfo before the series, sizing up the batsmen and talking about some of their weak areas.

Best policy is for Indian batsmen to attack the bowlers. Aggressive cricket is the best way that you can handle Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami. Tendulkar should attack. In the last tour, when Sehwag made a triple-hundred, he destroyed all the spirit of our fast bowlers. You need one brave innings to get on top. Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar will be the key to this series. I can't see anyone else making the difference.

You need to stick to the out-swinger. He scores a lot from the outgoing ball but he will give a chance. The difference between the last series and this is the pitches and the conditions. Sehwag has a similar technique to what Tendulkar used to have. My strength was outswing and I would create my pressure by attacking on the off stump. There are two kinds of pressures you can create on a batsmen - threaten him with bouncers or contain him without scoring. I would think the Pakistani bowlers should restrict Sehwag by trying inswing and reverse-swing before slipping in an outswinger, hoping he would flash.

Dravid is a very effective player. It's very tough to get his wicket. He's a batsman who is very difficult to get out. For Dravid I would try different deliveries and experiment. You can't have one plan against him. You need to be changing your approach always. The Indian batting revolves around him and you need to have different variations to get him out.

Tendulkar is different now. He's changed his game but I think he should try to attack Shoaib and Sami. He has to be careful against Rana because he's a different bowler. Rana will maintain his line and length and I think his effective ball is the outgoing one. Rana is very similar to me and I think he may even have more success against Sachin than me.

Laxman and Ganguly are flashy. It's going to be tough for them. The conditions won't suit their style. The ball will swing much more than last time, seam much more. Both are players who play slightly away from the body. I would tell my bowlers to concentrate on the outswinger, especially early in their innings.

He's is a very talented batsmen but I think he's more comfortable against medium-pacers and spinners then the out and out fast bowlers. I would think of attacking him with Shoaib and Sami in short, fast bursts. He plays the pull shot well, but he may struggle against express pace.

If Pakistan prepare seaming tracks, they've got the edge. If they play to their strengths, I believe the series will be 2-0 to Pakistan.