Pakistan plan spinning blitz against England

Pakistan have put the final touches to their plan to blitz England with spin by picking teenager Qaiser Abbas as part of a four-pronged spin attack in the first Test starting at the Gaddafi Stadium tomorrow.

Left-arm spinner Abbas, making his Test debut at the age of 18, took two for 34 against England at Rawalpindi a fortnight ago then impressed selectors further by going on to make 71 and 44 for the Patron's XI.

He joins a distinguished line up of Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi and Mushtaq Ahmed on a pitch that isexpected to turn early on in the match. England have included Ashley Giles and Ian Salisbury in their 12 and could also call in Graeme Hick to bolster spinning resources if required.

Even if Abbas does not make it to the final XI, his selection will be seen as an aggressive tactic designed to intimidate a batting side well known for its inexperience against spin but despite that Pakistan coach Javed Miandad says England could deal up a few surprises.

"We're not taking this England side lightly," he said.

"To predict beforehand that they are weak against spinners and will not be able to survive on slow and turning tracks is premature.

"All professional sides nowadays are adept at playing any type of bowling and on any type of pitch, but from what we observed in the one-day series their batsmen are weak against spinners and we will try and exploit that."

Shahid Afridi, the batsman and talented leg-spinner, will open with Saeed Anwar while youngster Salim Elahi, who scored a century for Pakistan A earlier in the tour, is expected to bat at number three.