England stand no chance in Pakistan: Akram

Famed Pakistan all-rounder Wasim Akram said Friday that England stand no chance in the upcoming series against Pakistan as the tourists will find the conditions tough.

"I think England stands no chance in Pakistan and we can easily beat them as the conditions will be alien for the English players who are coming after a gap of 13 years," Akram, 35, said.

England's cricketers are due in Pakistan in October to play three Tests and three one-dayers.

"English players have their limitations in this part of the world and I think Saqlain Mushtaq holds the key for the series," Akram, one of two survivors from the controversial 1987-88 series, said.

Ejaz Ahmed is the only other survivor of that infamous series which was marred by a row between then England captain Mike Gatting and Pakistani umpire Shakoor Rana in the Faisalabad Test and which nearly led to the cancellation of the tour. The current England team has no survivors from that series.

"Saqlain gets seven eight wickets in an innings for Surrey in the English season and he will be a tougher and different bowler in Pakistani conditions," he said.

"The Pakistan Board must evaluate our strong points and England's weaknesses and then prepare spin tracks," he said.

Akram said Saqlain and back-up spinners Mushtaq Ahmed and Arshad Khan will give Pakistan the winning combination.

Pakistan beat England 1-0 in the 1987-88 series with leg-spinner Abdul Qadir taking a record 30 wickets in three Tests. Akram's contribution in two Tests was two wickets.

The former Pakistan captain also said he is fit and available for the October 3-15 ICC knockout tournament in Kenya.

"I am enjoying cricket after my performance in the Antigua Test and in Sri Lanka," said Akram, the only bowler to take over 400 wickets in both Tests and one-dayers.

Pakistan lost the Antigua Test in May against the West Indies by one wicket with Akram taking 12 wickets in the match.

Akram refused to comment on the fine levied on him by Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum's report on match-fixing. He and seven others -- all punished in Qayyum's report -- were served summons by a high court on Tuesday.

Mail Cricket Editor