Wasim Akram claims England are no-hopers for Pakistan

Wasim Akram is claiming that England don't stand a chance in the forthcoming series against Pakistan.

England leave for Pakistan in October and will play three Test Matches and three one-day internationals. Akram believes the fact that England have not toured the country for more than ten years will be to Pakistan's advantage.

"I think England stands no chance in Pakistan and we can easily beat them as the conditions will be alien for the English players who are coming after a gap of 13 years," said the former Pakistan skipper.

"English players have their limitations in this part of the world and I think Saqlain Mushtaq holds the key for the series. Saqlain gets seven eight wickets in an innings for Surrey in the English season and he will be a tougher and different bowler in Pakistani conditions.

"The Pakistan Board must evaluate our strong points and England's weaknesses and then prepare spin tracks."

Responding to Akram's comments, the England and Wales Cricket Board's Media Relations Manager, Andrew Walpole, told CricInfo: "We're under no illusions about the size of the task facing us in Pakistan. They're a tough side, possibly second only to Australia in the world.

"But we've done our homework. We think the pitches in Pakistan are more favourable to seam bowling than they've been in the past, and we have a strong quartet of seam bowlers.

Walpole added: "Several of our players have experience of playing in Pakistan. We were there for the 1996 World Cup, and Nasser Hussain has led an A tour out there."

Wasim Akram and Ijaz Ahmed are the only two survivors from the Pakistan team which won the controversial 1987-88 series 1-0.

However the tour was marred by a furious row between then England captain Mike Gatting and Pakistani umpire Shakoor Rana in the Faisalabad Test which almost resulted in the cancellation of the tour.