Wasim praises affable England

England's willingness to embrace the Pakistan culture has endeared them to the local population and earned them respect among the host team.

Ahead of the first Test match in Lahore, England are reaping the rewards of a concerted public relations effort which has seen members of the side visit the Khyber Pass, shop in the bazaars and mingle at official functions.

On previous tours, players have proved reluctant to socialise and the resulting sense of ill-feeling has spilled over into the cricket arena causing friction between teams and officials. In 2000, however, Nasser Hussain's side has been diligent in its attempts to respect and enjoy the Pakistan culture.

Wasim Akram, who like Imran Khan, Javed Miandad and others before him is as familiar with the English culture as he us with his own after lengthy spells playing county cricket, said the friendly approach was going down well with the cricket loving public.

"The public have taken to the England team," claimed Wasim.

"They seem to be enjoying their trip here. This team is different to the one that came in 1996 because they want to meet people, they want to learn the culture and that is a very good sign and everybody is responding well to them.

``That is totally different to both 1996 and 1987 when I was only 20 years old then, a youngster, and I felt that the England team at the time didn't want to be here.

``When you're touring somewhere you have to make an effort with the local people and get to know the culture a little."

A new culture within the England team, reflected in their performance in the opening games of the tour, has also impressed the former Lancashire all-rounder.

"England have prepared well in the last two first class games so it's not going to be easy for us to win.

"England are unfamiliar with the conditions so that is to our advantage. But they are professional cricketers, they are very experienced and I'm sure they will adapt.

"When I saw them in the first game in Karachi I was very impressed with their approach and if they play positively they have a good chance. We're not going to be taking it easy, because they did very well recently against West Indies so their confidence should be high."

That confidence combined with the pressure on Pakistan to perform well on home turf could pose a threat to the home side, Wasim continued.

"We're under more pressure at home than away, which may be the reason why we do much better away from home.

"The people here are always expecting us to win and it doesn't always work out like that.

"Every series against England is a challenge for me. I love playing against them because I've played with them so much in the last 10 or 12 years.

"Because we all know each other so well, I'm expecting the two sides to be quite easy going with each other both on and off the pitch but that will depend on the captains of either side.

"It will be hard on the field, but that's all part of the psychological side of cricket, but I'm sure everything will be okay because we know each other so well."