Pakistan ready to face England in Test series

NOTTINGHAM, July 28 (AP): Pakistan will begin a four-test series against England Thursday in the belief that its young side is about to start a new era in the national game. Pakistan will be back in action just five days after securing a tense three-wicket triumph over Australia at Leeds which squared that test series 1-1.

Many observers had predicted that Salman Butt's team, playing as the 'home' side due to security concerns in Pakistan, would have collapsed in pursuit of a modest target of 180 Saturday. Instead, his side came through for an exhilarating victory. "It's a new beginning for Pakistan cricket, and especially for a young side," Butt said as he prepared for Thursday's start. "To win against the world's best is always an achievement. We would have loved to have done it in front of our home crowd, but we need to tell them that we love them and we hope we will be playing in front of them soon."

The bowling attack in particular attracted lavish praise from the captain.

"Mohammad Aamer is definitely one of the best bowlers in the world at the moment," Butt said. "If not the best then certainly in the top three and Mohammad Asid is the best bowler with the new ball I’ve seen since Glenn McGrath."

Butt was hardly exaggerating the threat posed by the opening duo. Both are capable of conjuring deliveries that home in on the stumps and even if England can see them off, the first change bowler, Umar Gul, is a master of the art of reverse swing. Danish Kaneria remains a world-class spinner, despite a modest series against the Australians, and Umar Amin had the happy knack of picking up wickets on the rare occasions he was used. "We call him golden arm," Butt joked, although behind the levity there was a more serious point.