KARACHI: Former captain Rashid Latif on Wednesday backed Pakistan to beat the world's best Test side England in a three-Test series starting next month.
After beating Sri Lanka 1-0 in Tests and 4-1 in one-dayers in the United Arab Emirates last month, Pakistan added a clean sweep in all three forms of the game in Bangladesh and Latif said the team had displayed excellent unity.
"Pakistan's combination is good and they are playing with the same players since that spot-fixing scandal last year and the kind of unity they have shown makes them favourites to win against England," Latif told AFP.
Pakistan take on world number one England in the first of three Tests in Dubai from January 17. They also play four one-day and three Twenty20 internationals.
Latif said the batting-friendly conditions in the Gulf suit Misbahul Haq's men.
"Pakistan team does well in batting conditions and Dubai (two Tests) and Abu Dhabi (one Test) have pitches which help batsmen," said Latif. "Pakistan also have a better bowling attack which can take 20 England wickets."
But he warned Pakistan will have to be at their best to beat England who have shown remarkable strength in Tests.
"England is also doing well so Pakistan will have to beat the best," said Latif, singling out paceman James Anderson as the most dangerous bowler.
"Anderson is the best new-ball bowler and difficult for left-handers so Pakistan will have to be at their best against him."
But English off-spinner Graeme Swann presented less of a challenge. "There is slow spin on the UAE pitches so Pakistani batsmen will handle Swann," suggested Latif.
He said that England represented a real test for the side.
"I don't count wins against a disjointed Sri Lanka and weak Bangladesh, Pakistan's win against England will be significant," said Latif.
COMMENTS (5)
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Better to compete play well than lose like a novice team to show appreciation for hospitality. Pakistan stand a good chance to beat England. Ratings don't count for much as recently witnessed where a #1 rated test team was wiped out by England in all three formats. Good luck to team Pakistan!
@hedgefunder : Hospitality, your media is always hostile (the word u ver looking for) to the visiting teams. f its only cricket that you play....you wont win a single series .
I agree with R.Latif its not that SL played their best game. No one takes away the credit from Pakistan but then again SL may give up easily but England wont they know how to handle pressure they are trained well for it better than our boys so it can be done with ten times more effort than that in the SL and Bangladesh matches. Best of Luck team Pakistan they nation wishes you all the success!!!
In your dreams !!! We saw how you repaid their hospitality, when you visit England! Never again!
Should not take credit away for beating srilanka as they have a much better batting line up than Pakistan.I agree that England will be a tougher challenge.pak need to strengthen their batting by inducing some new batsmen.