Asif justifies McGrath comparison

London: England batsmen, tormented for a decade by the relentless line and length of Glenn McGrath, were subjected on Thursday to a Pakistani version of the great Australian strike bowler.

After Mohammad Asif took 11 for 71 against Sri Lanka earlier this year, vice-captain Younis Khan bestowed the ultimate accolade on his teammate by comparing him to McGrath.

On the first day of the fourth and final Test against England, a capacity crowd at the Oval saw what Pakistan had been missing during the first three matches of the series when Asif was sidelined with an elbow injury.

On a pitch freshened by two short rain showers, Asif took four for 56 from 19 controlled overs of late movement through the air and off the seam as England were bowled out for 173.

While short of express pace, he was quick enough to hurry all the batsmen and his pronounced wrist action was reminiscent not only of McGrath but also West Indians Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh and New Zealand's Richard Hadlee, who all flourished in English conditions.

Asif, who furthered his cricket education during a month and a half with English county Leicestershire earlier this year, said he concentrated on bowling line and length.

"I was nervous," he said. "I was surprised to play because we had lost the series but I wanted to play.

Asif said he supported captain Inzamam-ul-Haq's bold decision to ask England to bat on a pitch, which is usually full of runs.

"I really wanted to bowl first, I just tried to bowl line and length and swing the ball early on," he said.

Asked about the comparison with McGrath, Asif smiled and shrugged.

"I just try to be consistent, bowling line and length. Every captain wants one bowler bowling maiden overs every time," he said.

"I learned a lot watching McGrath and (Jason) Gillespie. McGrath is a big name, I want to be a big name." Well as Asif bowled, England's batsmen played too many loose shots.

"There's no doubt about it, we gave a lot of soft dismissals," said coach Duncan Fletcher.

"I don't think that score reflects the wicket. "There was probably a bit of complacency in the bowling as well, the bowling was pretty loose up front. All in all, today was an off day."

Pakistan, in reply, reached 96 for one at the close.