India should be wary of Pak's new faces: Sehwag

"You don't know what sort of a player he is, his strengths or weaknesses," said the Indian opener.

Pakistan might have been hit by the withdrawal of Shoaib Akhtar but the unknown faces in the rival squad would prove to be a challenge on their own in the upcoming cricket series, Virender Sehwag said on Saturday.

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"Everyone is talking about the pace of Shoaib Akhtar and how Pakistan will miss him, but they have some new faces who have the talent. Playing those new faces will be more tough," Sehwag said.

"When you come up against players whom you already know, you can plan your strategies. But when it is a new player, you don't know what sort of a bowler he is, his strengths or weaknesses," said the Indian opener.

Sehwag, whose 309 against the cross-border rivals in Multan last year was the first-ever triple ton by an Indian in Test cricket, reiterated that Pakistan could not be taken lightly just because they have been going through a rough patch.

"Yes, we have the home ground advantage but at the same time, (Pakistan) team without Akhtar did well against Australia in the one-dayers."

Sehwag said India would go into the three-Test and six-match one-day series as favourites but refused to predict the margin of victory.