England in for tough Pakistan tour, warns Shoaib by AFP

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Player:	Shoaib Akhtar
Event:	England in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 18th September 2005

 

Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar has warned England to expect a tough and gruelling examination of their new-found confidence when they tour his country next month.

 

Michael Vaughan's men are on a high after their historic Ashes triumph, but Shoaib believes England could be in for a rude awakening when confronted with vastly different playing conditions in Pakistan.

 

"The conditions are different," Shoaib told the BBC. "They'll find a different atmosphere, less bounce, good pitches for batting and it's going to be hard work for the fast bowlers. "They're going to have to rely on the reverse swing to get people out. I think it's going to be a tough series."

 

England, who name their squad for the tour on Monday, leave for Pakistan on October 26, with the first Test in Multan beginning on November 12.

 

Shoaib congratulated England on their 2-1 Test triumph over Australia but insist they still have plenty to learn. "England are the best team right now," he said. "They have good guys around but Pakistan is different."

 

Shoaib missed England's last tour of Pakistan five years ago, when England clinched the series with a famous third Test victory in Karachi.

 

But he has witness England's recent triumphs at close hand as he has been playing county cricket with Worcestershire.

 

And he believes a first-choice Pakistan attack, including himself, Mohammad Sami and Abdul Razzaq, could cause England's batting problems.

 

"We have the ability to swing the ball and destroy any team in a couple of spells," he added.

 

"Sami can swing the ball at 90mph, Razzaq can swing the ball, I can swing the ball. We work well as a unit."

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)