Abbas urges Pakistan to exploit England

Following England's defeat to Sri Lanka in the final Test at Trent Bridge, the former Pakistan batsman Zaheer Abbas has urged Pakistan to exploit England's dip in form during their tour next month.

England were outdone by Muttiah Muralitharan, whose brilliant 8 for 70 crushed England's hopes of winning the series. However, Abbas was surprised at the condition of the pitch which, he felt, played into Murali's hands.

"I am amazed they [England] prepared a dry wicket against Sri Lanka and were routed by Murali," he told AFP. "My advice to the Pakistan batsmen will be to be patient, take your time at the crease and play late...this is the main trick to bat in England," said Abbas, who added that Inzamam-ul Haq was again the key to Pakistan's batting.

"With both Pakistan and England having good bowling attacks, I think batting will be crucial and Inzamam will hold the key for Pakistan because he knows the conditions having toured England thrice," he said.

"Pakistan's batting revolves around Inzamam and the way he batted against England when they came here was remarkable."

Abbas should know, given his love for England. He hit two monumental double hundreds against them - 274 at Edgbaston in 1971 and 240 at The Oval in 1974 - and enjoyed years of success with Gloucestershire at county level.