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Agence France-Presse

Pakistan’s top test batsman Younis Khan has brushed aside the threat posed by England’s in-form pace attack as his team prepare to return to the scene of an infamous spot-fixing scandal in 2010.
Khan said Pakistan’s familiarity with the likes of Stuart Broad and James Anderson would blunt their potency when they open a four-test series at Lord’s on July 14.
The ‘home of cricket’ will provide a tough opening environment for Pakistan after the spot-fixing case of 2010, which ended with jail terms for young fast bowler Mohammad Amir and two other players.
Amir, now 24, is back in Pakistan’s squad after completing a ban from cricket, but Khan said his teammates now wanted to put the past behind them and enjoy playing at the historic London ground.
Pakistan cricket trio banned for spot-fixing in 2010 must complete rehab before resuming career
“It is always a pleasure whenever you play in Lord’s,” he told AFP at a dinner organised by Britain’s High Commission in Lahore.
“The tradition and using that dressing room and that ground... in my mind it’s always a challenge and a pleasure for me so playing cricket in England is all about that.”

England’s fast bowlers combined to take 33 wickets between them in their recent 2-0 rout of a Sri Lankan side missing recent retirees such as Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
Anderson’s 21 wickets came at a phenomenal 10.8 runs apiece, but Khan, the lynchpin of Pakistan’s batting for more than a decade, said his team would not roll over as easily.
Announcer apologises after cash register prank for cricket spot-fixer Mohammad Amir
“No doubt about Anderson and Broad – they are the top bowlers these days. But we play regularly against Broad and Finn and Anderson,” he said.
The two teams last clashed in the UAE, where Pakistan plays its home games because of security concerns, in 2015 with the South Asian side prevailing 2-0 in the three match series.
They also played in the UAE in 2012, when Pakistan recorded a 3-0 win over England.

Then, as now, Khan and fellow veteran Misbah-ul-Haq are seen as key to holding up a batting order that has traditionally been troubled by quality swing bowling.
“If you go there and play according to your plans you’ll be successful in any conditions and against any bowler,” he said.
It is a strategy that has paid dividends for Khan in the past even in English conditions, with its pacey pitches that encourage movement in the air.
In five previous Tests on English soil he has maintained an average of 52.22 – one run shy of his overall career figure – and managed one century along with three fifties.

Now in the twilight of a career that has seen him amass 31 Test centuries – 10th on the overall list and the highest number by any current player – Khan remained coy on his future plans.
“Maybe it will be my final tour,” he said, before quickly adding: “As a cricketer and as a top sportsman I feel very comfortable with my fitness and my form so God willing (if) I perform the way I perform for my country maybe I will play for four-five more years, maybe.”
Beyond Khan and Misbah, no Pakistani batsman has broken into the world’s top 10 for many years, but the ethnic Pashtun said he was confident about the younger players who are waiting in the wings.
“Asad Shafiq is there, Azhar Ali is there, then after them there are the youngsters are upcoming,” he said.
“Whenever a top cricketer retires everyone thinks after him what should we do. But suddenly some of the players come and they play for their country and they play for themselves.
“So I think after us there will be guys who play better than us.”


Pakistan’s Younis Khan undaunted by England attack ahead of Lord's return next month

Younis Khan prepares to bat during a training camp at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore at the end of May. Photo: AFP

England's James Anderson appeals unsuccessfully for a wicket during play on the fifth day of the third test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka at Lord's cricket ground in London, on June 13, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB

Britain Cricket - England v Sri Lanka - Second Test - Emirates Durham ICG - 29/5/16 England's Stuart Broad in action Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

(160601) -- LAHORE, June 1, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir sits after taking part in a training camp for the upcoming England cricket tour at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in eastern Pakistan's Lahore on June 1, 2016. Pakistan will tour to England on June 18 for four tests, five One-Day Internationals and a lone Twenty20 international. (Xinhua/Sajjad)
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Pakistan cricket trio banned for spot-fixing in 2010 must complete rehab before resuming career 

Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt will complete a five year ban on September 1 over spot-fixing. Photo: AFP


Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt leaves Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on August 26, 2015. Pakistan cricket authorities handed a detailed process to spot-fixing convicts Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif for their return to international cricket. AFP PHOTO / ARIF ALI

Fast bowler Mohammad Amir arrives at the Pakistan Cricket Board's headquarters in Lahore. He will have to undergo a six-month extensive rehabilitation programme. Photo: AP

Pakistan paceman Mohammad Asif leaves Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan cricket authorities handed a detailed process to spot-fixers Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif. Photo: AFP

Announcer apologises after cash register prank for cricket spot-fixer Mohammad Amir

Mohammad Amir of Pakistan is bowled by Trent Boult of New Zealand during the first one-day international between New Zealand and Pakistan at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on January 25, 2016. AFP PHOTO / MARTY MELVILLE

Mohammad Amir of Pakistan walks from the field injured during the first one-day international between New Zealand and Pakistan at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on January 25, 2016. AFP PHOTO / MARTY MELVILLE

Mohammad Amir is on his first tour since getting out of prison. Photo: AFP

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Pakistan’s top test batsman has brushed aside the threat posed by England’s in-form pace attack headlined by James Anderson and Stuart Broad as his team prepare to return to the scene of an infamous spot-fixing scandal in 2010
