English series will be a litmus test for Pakistan: Wasim Akram
Pakistan will take on England in a three test match series starting from the 29th of July. Pakistan will enter the series with a lot of confidence after defeating Australia in the second test match of the MCC Spirit of Cricket series at Leeds. Some words of advice have flown in from various quarters. This time round, Pakistan’s former captain Wasim Akram thinks that the boys in green will have to play exceptionally well against England in order to establish themselves as a quality test side. Akram further added that England is a very strong team when they are playing at home and it will be very difficult preposition to defeat an in-form English team in England.
Akram was speaking to a private news channel when he said, “Facing England at home will be a tough challenge. They are a very good side at home and it is going to be really difficult to beat them."
Wasim while admitting that it will be difficult for Pakistan to beat England said that Salman Butt and his team must be full of confidence following their superb victory against Australia. Akram said that this confidence will allow Pakistani players to fight hard against England. He also congratulated Butt and his team for a remarkable win against the Aussies after a prolonged gap of 15 years.
"To win a Test match against an Australian side especially after a drubbing at Lord`s and Afridi`s sudden retirement, tells about the character of this young team. I think it`s a great achievement and it will definitely instill confidence in the young Pakistan side to face the dangerous England at home. The drawn series versus Australia not only gives them a chance to compete against the `Three Lions` but they can now very well harbour hopes of beating them as well," he said.
Wasim Akram is one the best, if not “the best” bowler in Pakistan’s cricketing history. The legendary bowler picked up 414 test wickets and 502 ODI wickets. He was very influential in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s 1992 World Cup victory in Australia as he was awarded the “man of the match” award for his performance in the final against England.
Pakistan’s performance in the shorter format of the game has impressed everyone but their weakness lie in the longer format of the game. Pakistan is desperate to perform in test cricket. Salman Butt has taken over the captaincy from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Salman-c88163 is ready to take on England with a very young side. Pakistan’s inexperienced batting lineup has failed to click but the newly appointed captain believes that they will deliver in the upcoming series against England. Butt will be missing the services of his prime batsmen Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan on account of different disciplinary issues with the board.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 said that Pakistani spinners would have received more help if the matches were played in Pakistan. “Had this match been played in Lahore or Karachi, then spin and reverse swing would have been more effective. All the three pacers Mohammed Aamer, Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif can do a bit of reverse swing and they would have been handful even on home turf," Akram said.
Akram was impressed by Pakistan’s latest bowling talent in the shape of Mohammad Aamer, who emulates Wasim and has impressed cricketing pundits all across the world. The Australian batsmen were hopping in their creases against Mohammad Aamer who did not let them settle. Wasim in his recent interview praised Aamer’s potential and said, "Aamer is much cleverer than I was at 18". Aamer’s spell with Mohammad Asif allowed Pakistan to bowl out Australia on a paltry total of 88 runs in the second test which formed the foundation for Pakistan’s victory. This magical bowling display by Aamer and Asif got the main headlines all across the world. Pakistan Captain Salman Butt recently praised his attacking bowlers and labelled Aamer and Asif as world’s best duo. "Without any doubt I can say that Aamer and Asif are the best pair in the world at the moment and Gul with the old ball is the most dangerous because he bowls the best reverse swing.” Butt said.
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