Guwahati, Feb. 6: Pakistan is wary of a "second-string" with the young Indian tennis squad taking part in the 12th South Asian Games here.

The matches will start at the All Assam Tennis Association complex at Chachal tomorrow morning.

"India might have a second-string team in the absence of top players like Sania Mirza and Yuki Bhambri, but they are still the favourites. The players are very young. On our part, we have a strong team (four men and four women), including Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan and the experienced Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. We will put up a good fight," Pakistan tennis coach and non-playing captain Rashid Malik told The Telegraph.

"We are missing two players who are currently playing in the US. But of course, we will be going into the matches with a bit of an advantage, knowing that some of the top players are missing in the Indian squad," Malik said.

Pakistan, apart from Aqeel and Aisam, have Yasir Khan and Mohammad Abid, while the four-member women's squad includes Sara Mansoor, Sarah Mahboob Khan, Ushna Sohail and Iman Qureshi.

On sustaining regular India-Pakistan tennis matches, Malik said he would take up the matter of resuming a friendship series between the traditional archrivals with All India Tennis Association president Anil Khanna.

"I will take up the matter with Anil Khanna. The friendship series will allow the people of both the countries to witness the age-old rivalry. We need to play more," Malik, who had once played a prime role both as a player and non-playing captain in Davis Cup for Pakistan, said.

However, Pakistan, he feels, needs to improve its tennis at the grassroots level. "We lack the talent needed at the junior level. But we are working to groom the young players. Hopefully, in the next five years we will have some good players at this level," Malik, who is on his first visit to the city, added.

The Pakistan team had a three-hour workout on the courts today.

"The courts are excellent. The weather is very good. The people are friendly. The transport part needs to be looked into as the bus that was to pick us up came late. But that's a minor glitch and things will improve in the next five days," he said.