Moin says England will be tough

The forthcoming home series against England, the first in 13 years, will be tough and exciting, Pakistan captain Moin Khan said on Tuesday.

"They are playing good cricket and have a mixture of young and experienced players," Moin said.

England on Monday scored their first Test series victory against the West Indies in 31 years when they won The Oval Test by 158 runs and clinched the series 3-1.

Moin said some of their bowlers like Darren Gough and Andrew Caddick are bowling well in the English conditions.

"How they will perform on slow Pakistani wickets is yet to be seen," he added.

England are due in Pakistan on October 16 to play three Tests and three one-day Internationals.

The 1987 series between the two sides was marred by controversy. A row between Pakistani umpire Shakoor Rana and then England captain Mike Gatting during the Faislabad Test resulted in the suspension of one day's play.

England did play some matches during the 1996 World Cup in Pakistan, but relations were again soured following then captain Michael Atherton's alleged remarks against a Pakistani reporter.

"There are very few cricketers left in both the teams who were there during the last home series. I am sure they too have forgotten what had happened 13-years back," Moin said.

"I am confident the wounds of 1987 series have now been healed with the passage of time. We have visited England twice and will give them a warm welcome when they are here," he said.

England open their one-day international campaign at the National Stadium, Karachi, on October 24.

Mail Cricket Editor