Danish Kaneria key to unsettling England

For Pakistan, this time last year things could only get better. They were about to go to Australia where they were widely expected to be - and eventually were - brusquely walloped. But redemption dangled teasingly - and was tentatively snatched - thereafter, through a series against a stuttering India and the only other side in cricket with as spectacular an aptitude for implosion, fraction and in-fighting, the West Indies.

Additionally, the home series against England, at the time, presented Pakistan with a legitimate opportunity to claim a rare home series win against worthy opponents. The claim acquired credibility due, in main, to the expected mauling England were to receive in the Ashes; after which, the theory was, they would crumble to a rejuvenated Pakistan.

It says, then, as much about cricket as it does about its commentators that Pakistan now faces for the second time in a year the best team in the world. The only difference, of course, is although it was unarguable last year, there is some room for contention to that claim this time round.

Not that it makes much difference to Inzamam-ul-Haq. At the pre-match press conference in his hometown, Inzamam was, as he is always, inscrutable and miserly with his thoughts. How big a challenge does England present? "It's a very big challenge for us considering how well England have played in the last two years and how young our team is."

What of key players such as Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen, men who, you imagine, induce significant queasiness in opposition? Both players were described as "exciting" and "had performed very well recently." Ashley Giles, whose contribution five years ago became as vital as it went sly and unnoticed, was acknowledged as a very good bowler but, Inzamam added nonchalantly "if you are playing international cricket, you have to face good bowlers everywhere." Michael Vaughan's absence, which most people would reasonably claim to be potentially pivotal, was greeted without expression or feeling. "We have a little advantage because Vaughan is a very good batsman and captain. But we feel that the England team as a whole is very strong."

Inzamam's indifference to the opposition is, in a sense, not only admirable but sagacious. As ever, there is enough within his squad to suggest that as long as players perform as they can, a proper challenge can be posed. After first furnishing a query about key Pakistani players, predictably, by labeling them all equally important, he agreed that Danish Kaneria's contribution might be more equal than others (intuitively, Woolmer pointed to Inzamam when the query about key players was put to the captain).

"I think Danish will play a key role in the series. He has done really well for us over the last two years and I expect him to play a major part in this series." In truth, he has done more than that, as 61 wickets in ten Tests against opposition good, great and clueless and, in eight instances, on foreign pitches, testifies. Certainly, from the last time England faced him, he will be unrecognisable, both in his bowling and importantly, his attitude, which has since purchased enviable poise and belief.

Given the nature of the pitch - it looks as dry and grassless as it did when Virender Sehwag unveiled arguably the most raucously modern triple century - and Kaneria's evolved role as shock and stock bowler, few would argue Inzamam's assertion.

But if spin has traditionally formed such an evocative and incendiary strand in the history between the two countries, then pace, particularly in the last decade has never been far behind. Here too there is good news for Pakistan as, for the first time since the departures of Wasim and Waqar, Pakistan have a full complement of first-choice fast bowlers to choose from.

Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach, said: "I hope it will be a big factor for us. Whatever combination we go in with we're looking for the bowlers to work as a team and having all four fast bowlers fit, firing and at full throttle augurs well for Pakistan cricket."

Barring drama, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami are certain to open the bowling - only the fourth time they have done so together in over two years - and one of Shabbir Ahmed or Rana Naved-ul-Hasan will play. Given the former's impressive Test credentials - and murky action - and the latter's undoubted commitment - and poor Test record - neither choice will be easy or fair.

It is at the other end of the line-up, however, where problems arise. As if nine opening combinations in their last ten Tests weren't enough, they are likely to take on England's pace attack with their tenth - Shoaib Malik and Salman Butt. Although Woolmer wouldn't reveal the identity of the pair, he said, "What we'd like to do is to try out our two best young players up front and give them an opportunity to do well. I have every faith and confidence in them." With 15 Tests between them - and Malik has only played one of them as an opener - that faith will be sternly tested.

Undoubtedly, Pakistan have changed under Woolmer; many might argue they have progressed. Woolmer said, "I think the team has improved tremendously but our Test cricket still needs to improve. In the next three months we play six Tests and that will be good for us." But they are yet to win a Test series and are still, as Woolmer acknowledges, slow starters.

As a flimsy omen, the last time England won the Ashes and faced Pakistan, they were beaten home and away within six months. Pakistan travel to England next summer for a return series, and given England's poor early tour form, expectations will be higher than they were in the immediate aftermath of the Ashes. But in a contest genuinely difficult to gauge, the last word should belong to Inzamam the phlegmatic: "Despite their poor start, both sides start on an even footing before the first Test."