Agence France Presse

New Delhi, March 3:

India’s cricket team is eagerly waiting for the Pakistan tour to begin next week, vice-captain Rahul Dravid said on Wednesday while brushing aside any security fears.

“I think enough has been said and done about the security bit, it’s now time to think about the cricket,” Dravid told reporters during a sponsors’ function here to unveil the trophy at stake for the Test and one-day series.

“The players are as excited about the tour as the fans are. Many in the team have not played in Pakistan at all. It should be a great experience.”

Sourav Ganguly’s Team India leave next Wednesday for their first full tour of Pakistan in almost 15 years, comprising five one-day internationals followed by three Tests. India’s champion batsman Sachin Tendulkar is the only current player on either side to have experienced an India-Pakistan Test on Pakistani soil, having made his international debut there on the last tour in 1989.