Wasim: 'don't be fooled by England'

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has brushed aside concerns that England are ill-prepared for their first Test against Pakistan at Multan on Saturday. England fell by six wickets to Pakistan A at Lahore on Tuesday, a day after Michael Vaughan had a recurrence of a knee injury which threatens his inclusion for the opening encounter, but Wasim has warned Pakistan to expect a much more professional performance from the visitors when the first Test gets underway.

"Don't get fooled by England's poor form in the lead-up matches. They are a mentally strong side and will be totally different in their attitude and performance in the Tests," Wasim said on Wednesday.

England's much vaunted batting line-up, which excelled during their 2-1 Ashes triumph over Australia two months ago, has failed in both warm-up matches since they arrived in Pakistan two weeks ago. Even in their 52-run win against the Patron's XI in their tour opener at Rawalpindi, England's top-order failed to make sizeable contributions: Andrew Strauss, Vaughan, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen flopped in both innings. Marcus Trescothick, who is expected to captain the side in the event of Vaughan's exclusion, hit an unbeaten 124 and 38 in the first match but failed in the second.

Wasim admitted that England looked rusty in the two warm-up matches. "This happens after you have a huge win. The Ashes win may have relaxed England a bit and they were out of cricket for nearly two months which rusts you a bit.

"You need extraordinary planning to beat a team like England. Unfortunately our lead up to a series has always been haphazard and I don't know what sort of planning Inzamam-ul Haq and Bob Woolmer have done now."

But Wasim said he couldn't pick a winner for the three match series: "This has been the most [frequently] asked question but it's a toughie. Pakistan in Pakistan are strong and England has been progressing well, so the team which proves mentally strongest will win."

And he pinpointed Ashley Giles, England's senior left-arm spinner, as the main threat to Pakistan: "If Pakistan prepares spin tracks then I think they would face a real threat in Giles who, even though not a great turner of the ball, bowls wicket to wicket and may prove dangerous. England batsmen would not prove weak against spin because they tackled Shane Warne very well in the Ashes against Australia so their confidence must be high," he added.