Kaneria not worried about Mushtaq recall

Danish Kaneria, the Pakistan legspinner, says the possible recall of veteran legspinner Mushtaq Ahmed for the series against England hasn't put him under any extra pressure. Both Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, and Inzamam-ul-Haq, the captain, are keen on involving Mushtaq, who has just finished another successful season with Sussex with 80 championship wickets, for the series against England.

Kaneria, who took 32 championship wickets for Essex and helped them to win the National League Division 1 ODI title with 16 wickets in 10 matches, told the Karachi-based daily, The News, "He is a different sort of bowler and I have my own style and qualities. There is no competition between us. It would be challenging to bowl in tandem with him. But I don't feel threatened at all by him and if they (selectors) want to try him I have no problems with that."

The nature of Mushtaq's involvement, however, is not clear yet. Woolmer had told the Guardian that he wanted to exploit a traditional English susceptibility to quality spin. "I think most teams these days need five bowlers," he said. "Mushtaq has a lot of experience. Even if he is not in the squad, we would be keen for him to work closely with Danish. But Inzamam was keen that we should look at the option of bringing him back."

Mushtaq last played for Pakistan against South Africa at home in 2003. Then, he had also been recalled after a considerable gap although his return wasn't particularly successful. He struggled against the tourists at the Lahore Test, where he played alongside Kaneria. While Mushtaq picked up a solitary wicket in 26 overs, Kaneria ran through the visitors in the second innings, taking 5 for 46 and leading Pakistan to victory. In the second Test at Faisalabad, Mushtaq again struggled and the series was widely seen as vital in confirming Kaneria, and not Mushtaq, as the premier legspinner in the team.

The last time England toured, Pakistan adopted a similar approach by trying to combat them with spin. In the first Test at Lahore, they played three spinners and at Faisalabad, where Kaneria made his debut as a much-hyped 'secret weapon', he was one of four spinners. England successfully stifled the strategy, eventually winning the series 1-0.

Kaneria, now a veteran of 28 Tests and 132 wickets, is relishing the English challenge. "England is a fine side and they have some very good young players. Bowling against them and trying to do well would be a big challenge for me. It is going to be a hard fought and exciting series."

And despite not playing against any of England's stars this summer, he has been closely monitoring their progress whenever he got the chance. "I didn't get a chance to play against any of the current English players for Essex. But I think Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen are very dangerous and attacking players. I have some things worked out for them in my mind and I have also got some good tips from speaking to some former England players about the England team."

Although his place in the Test side has been secure since 2003, he has struggled to make an impact at one-day level. But having played a part in winning a one-day title - as well as his wickets, his economy-rate was an impressive 3.51 - he said, "I feel I am good enough to secure my place in the Pakistan one-day squad, especially after the introduction of the super sub rule."

England begins its tour of Pakistan from October 26 and plays three Tests and five one-day internationals.