Beware dodgy guts and Saqlain magic

They have Wasim Akram, left-arm fast with swing; Waqar Younis, right arm fast with swing; and Shoab Akhtar, just bloody fast! Then, of course, there are my spinning buddies Mushtaq Ahmed, the leggie, and Saqlain Mushtaq, the master spinner who has claimed many of the England boys' scalps while taking Surrey to two championship titles.

Nobody seems able to pick him, so let's hope Stewie and Graham Thorpe have a few Surrey secrets to share with their fellow batsmen.

The quickies are renowned for their ability to reverse swing the ball and this will be a crucial factor on the dry, bare pitches in Pakistan. Our boys are fairly useful at this, too, so there should be a great battle ahead.

Our bowlers will have to work as a team and be a bit canny, bowl with great discipline, apply the pressure and go for the kill when their batsmen first get in. This may not be easy at times in the energy-sapping heat and with dodgy guts almost guaranteed. The doctor and the physio will be very busy men.

I've mentioned the quality of Pakistan's bowlers but I am not so sure about their batting.

Saeed Anwar apart, their line-up can look very fragile at times and it will be up to our opening bowlers to get among them on the flat pitches. No doubt these pitches will take spin as the games go on, so again these helpful conditions must be used to England's benefit.

Despite losing to the West Indies last year, Pakistan will be a completely different proposition on home soil, I can assure you.

It is really up to everyone to muck in and not moan and groan. At times, it will be tough but that is what the players are paid for. During these times the confidence gained from this summer will work to keep the lads up there and focused.

The thought of not being able to take advantage of those dry, turning wickets is very frustrating. But at least we shall see some different aspects of the game and it will be interesting to see how our boys can cope with that most noble art . . . spin bowling!