India believe they can achieve their first Test series victory in Pakistan following their impressive recent performances in Australia, captain Sourav Ganguly said on Wednesday.

"Pakistan is a challenge, but I am sure it is not going to be as big as Australia," said Ganguly.

"Australia are definitely a superior side. We are pretty confident after our tour of Australia," he said. "To be honest, we are going to Pakistan in a much better frame of mind."

India face a huge challenge on their first full tour of Pakistan for 14 years, which starts next month, having failed to win any of their 20 Tests there.

But their confidence of playing abroad has been bolstered by the 1-1 Test series draw in Australia, when they confounded predictions of a drubbing by the world champions.

India will play five one-dayers in Pakistan followed by three Tests on a tour that has generated huge interest among millions of cricket-mad fans on both sides of the border.

The tour was cleared only after the Indian government revoked a three-year ban on bilateral games with Pakistan due to political tensions.

Although the tour comes amid a thaw in relations between the neighbours, the build-up has been dominated by security concerns with the restive cities of Karachi and Peshawar, close to the Afghan border, allotted only one-day games.

But Ganguly said his players would not be distracted.

"I don't think the boys should have any problem in focusing on cricket," he said. "They know their performances will be watched all over the world."

Ganguly thinks India and Pakistan should play each other more often.

"It will definitely help to reduce tension and hype over cricket," he said. "I don't think the crowds and tension in Pakistan are going to be that bad."