Ganguly (right) did not get a chance to bat in the first Test

The tourists brought in seamers Zaheer Khan and debutant Rudra Pratap Singh.

"It was tough to drop Ganguly but we played with the 11 we thought is the best combination," said Dravid.

"We played with five bowlers because we thought it was our weak area but we lost the opportunity after restricting them to 216-4 at one stage."

Dravid said he believes the wicket in Faisalabad is better for batting than the one in Lahore, which yielded more than 1,000 runs last week.

"We did OK to contain them at the start but then Inzamam and Shahid batted very well later in the day," he added.

"With the sun out, the wicket could change a bit later in the game but now it looks like a beauty."

Left-armer Pratap Singh took three wickets on debut, including Pakistan vice-captain Younis Khan for 83.

But Pakistan recovered to 379-4 at stumps, thanks to half-centuries from Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi.

"Pratap Singh looked a good bowler with the new ball and it was a good move to play with five bowlers," said Younis.

"At least on the first day, the wicket looked perfect for batting and I think one could not ask for more (than) the way we played up front."

Ganguly did not get a chance to bat in the drawn first Test and bowled just six overs of medium pace.

His inclusion then came despite indications from Dravid and coach Greg Chappell on the eve of the match that he would be left out, amid rumours of intervention from the Indian cricket board.