Wasim Bari predicts tough series

Pakistan's chief cricket selector, Wasim Bari, has said that his team will need to be on top form to beat England in November and December, following England's superb summer which culminated in winning the Ashes in September.

"Pakistan need to be at their best to beat England," Bari told AFP. "There is no doubt they [Pakistan] are capable of giving a tough fight and if they show the confidence they exuded in India they can come out winners."

Pakistan were beaten 2-1 at home by India last year, followed by a 3-0 drubbing by Australia, but Bari was confident about their ability to compete against England this winter:

"Pakistan have been improving and I am sure they will give England a run for their money. It's going to be a very tough and exciting series," said Bari, who played 81 Tests for Pakistan as a wicketkeeper. Under Michael Vaughan, England is now a very balanced team and is playing cricket with confidence," he added, "which is the most important element in any sport."

Bari warned that despite the flat pitches of the subcontinent, England's bowling attack will be no less potent:

"In Steve Harmison they have a really quick bowler and in Simon Jones, Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard they have quality swing bowlers, so their pace attack is world-class, even on the flat tracks.

"We too have a very good attack and fortunately the fitness level of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami and Umer Gul is very high and [the] Pakistan attack will match England in strength."

Bari, who was the head of selectors when Pakistan lost their last home series against England in 2000, refused to divulge his team's plans to tackle England.

"We are open to suggestion and want to give a balanced squad to captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and coach Bob Woolmer. It's their decision what combination they want to play," he said.

But he said Pakistan needed to play five bowlers to beat England, and described the series as a huge challenge.

"Against England you need to play five bowlers and that's [what] Australia lacked in the Ashes. Pakistan need to exert pressure from day one of the series, and need to play well on all five days of all three Tests to win the series."

Bari's selection committee will pick the Pakistan squad after three trial matches later this month. England arrive on October 26 and play the first Test in Multan on November 12, followed by Tests in Faisalabad and Lahore. Five one-day matches will conclude their tour.