Eng in Pak: some updates(-worma)

With most of the discussion around the Indian match already done(and likely to continue) I thought maybe its a good idea to change focus a bit..

So Vaughan has this to say about their prospects of facing spin attack in Pak(emphasis mine):

"I would be very surprised if we go to Pakistan and it doesn't spin. But we have become decent players of spin over the last few years," said Vaughan. "Look at the World XI team (in the recent ICC Super Test in Australia) and the success Stuart MacGill and Shane Warne (both leg spinners) had against the best players in the world. That shows what success we had against Warne. He managed to take 40 wickets but we took him for a few an over."

Can someone please update me what's he talking about?...I must've been dream-watching another Ashes in a parallel universe! Read the full article here.

And other update..Akhtar's chances seem to have brightened after he did a reasonably impressive workout in the nets, showing a couple of days late for training (so what...didn't he still grace the occasion?..some people never appreciate small mercies ;-)

Akhtar's slated to play the practice game against the visitors. With Mushtaq Ahmed also lined up for that game, the balance of Pak attack, and therefore its strategy, may be hanging on that show...although IMO they are not considering Mushtaq seriously since Woolmer has already announced Malik as the opener, and Afridi would most likely play, since his performance in last two test series has been pretty impressive.