Salman Butt backs Pak pace-trio for successful England Test series
By ANIThursday, July 29, 2010
LONDON - Pakistan skipper Salman Butt has backed his fast bowling trio of Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul to carry on their spectacular form from the Headingley Test against Australia when they face England.
Pakistan go into the first of a four-Test series against England, starting at Trent Bridge on Thursday, on the back of a three-wicket win against Australia at Headingley, where Ricky Ponting’s men were dismissed for just 88 in the first innings.
“They bring a lot of confidence to us as a team because whatever totals you do, you are always confident you can defend it. Mohammad Aamer has most skills that a fast bowler needs. He has pace on his side, swing and the mental side of Mohammad Aamer is very good. He is mature for his age,” The News quoted Butt, as saying.
“Mohammad Asif is, I think, one of the best seam bowlers in the world - very accurate lines and lengths and Umar Gul, I think, with the old ball, with the reverse swing, is one of the most lethal guys in the world.”
“So, I think I am a lucky person to have all these three up my sleeve,” he added.
The 25-year-old further said that despite repeated calls to recall former captains Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf, he was happy to persevere with youngsters Azhar Ali and Umar Amin.
“They’ve played in difficult batting conditions and against one of the world’s best bowling attacks. Nobody comes out of home having played 40 or 50 odd games,” Butt said.
“So, you have to give them the chance, give them the time and back them through those times to become people like Mohammad Yousuf, Younus Khan or Inzamam-ul-Haq. They also became stars when they performed in the middle, not before,” he added. (ANI)
