Aamer confident ahead of England challenge

Mohammad Aamer, Pakistan's Man of the Match in their series-levelling win at Headingley, is confident that his team can rise to the challenge of taking on England ahead of the first Test which starts on Thursday.

"Playing against England will present new challenges for me and the other bowlers, but I am sure we can do well," he told PakPassion.net. "They are a strong team with a varied batting lineup, but if me and the other bowlers bowl well and consistently then I'm sure we can put up a good challenge".

Aamer picked up match figures of 7 for 106 - his best haul in the 10 Tests he has played so far - to inspire a thrilling three-wicket win over Australia in the second Test, and obviously enjoyed the experience. "I really enjoyed bowling at Headingley, I wish I could bowl here on this pitch every day," he said.

In helpful conditions on the first day Australia were improbably rolled over for just 88, but as the pitch eased out Aamer showed considerable patience and a maturity beyond his 18 years to nip out four second-innings wickets - including the vital one of Ricky Ponting, caught behind for 66 early on the third morning.

"When the sun came out, it was tougher for the bowlers and we really had to be patient and consistent with our line and length," he explained. "I knew I had to pitch it up and look for swing and not bowl short. The coach told me that if I bowled the nagging length where the batsman doesn't know whether to come forward or go back, then that would really challenge them.

"That's what I concentrated on, the length. I felt that I could have bowled a bit quicker, but that may have affected the length, so I concentrated more on bowling the length that Waqar bhai had talked about."

Conditions are likely to suit the bowlers at Trent Bridge, where there is usually appreciable movement through the air, and a full length will once again be vital. Pakistan's inexperienced middle order has not quite clicked yet, and it is likely that any further success will be built around the efforts of the three-pronged attack of Aamer, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul.