Wasim Akram Backs Mohammad Aamir To Take Pakistan Cricket Forward

Mohammad Aamir has received a big boost from former captain Wasim Akram ahead of Pakistan's tour of England next month.

The young pacer has been named in the Pakistan squad that will play four Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 International in England between July 14 and September 7.

Aamir, who spent time in jail and served a five-year ban for spot-fixing, admitted he had deliberately bowled a no-ball in the fourth Test against England at Lord's in 2010.

The 24-year-old was cleared to return to the sport in September and could make his first Test appearance since his suspension. He is awaiting visa from the UK authorities.

"I told Aamir to focus on only one thing: cricket...Leave everything else. He is a brilliant bowler and the future of Pakistan cricket," Akram told a TV channel.

Akram, who turned 50 on June 3, said Pakistan bowlers should stay away from "lots of biriyani" if they wanted to compete at the international level.

Known as the Sultan of Swing, Akram battled acute diabetes at the peak of his career to torment the world's best batsmen with his pace and swing. He finished with 414 Test and 502 ODI wickets in a career spanning from 1984 to 2003.