India beatable at home: Woolmer

"A home team always starts as favourite but this Pakistan team is maturing and is ready for the India challenge," the Pakistan coach said.

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer on Sunday said India are beatable at home and his young team can take inspiration from Australia and South Africa who won a series in India.

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"It would be a challenging tour to a country which is regarded as one of the second best teams in the world but in recent years Australia, Pakistan and South Africa have beaten them and that would be an inspiration," Woolmer said as Pakistan prepare for their tour of India.

"A home team always starts as a favourite but this Pakistan team is maturing and is ready for the India challenge."

Australia won their first series in India since 1965 last year while Hansie Cronje led South Africa to a 1-0 win in their series in India in 2000.

Pakistan under former captain Wasim Akram beat India in two of the three Test matches in their last tour of India in 1999.

"They (India) are an allround team now than in 1999 and 2000 and it would be a challenge to confront the likes of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh," said Woolmer, who played 19 Tests for England and coached South Africa between 1994-1999.

Woolmer took over as coach in June 2004, replacing Javed Miandad after Pakistan lost the home series against India.

Pakistan arrive in India on February 28 to play three Tests and six one-day games in their first tour of their neighbour since 1999.

"It would be as challenging as Australia in a different sort of way but we won't be confronted with the same sort of fast bowling attack like Australia but Indian spinners would also be challenging," Woolmer said.

Pakistan announced a 16-member squad on Friday, recalling off-spinner Arshad Khan after express pacer Shoaib Akhtar pulled out due to injury.