Nottingham: Pakistan will begin a four-Test series against England on Thursday in the belief that its young side is about to start a new era in the national game.
“It's a new beginning for Pakistan cricket, and especially for a young side,” Butt said as he prepared for Thursday's start.
“To win against the world's best is always an achievement. We would have loved to have done it in front of our home crowd, but we need to tell them that we love them and we hope we will be playing in front of them soon.”
The bowling attack in particular attracted lavish praise from the captain. “Mohammad Aamer is definitely one of the best bowlers in the world at the moment,” Butt said.
“If not the best then certainly in the top three and Mohammad Asid is the best bowler with the new ball I have seen since Glenn McGrath.”
There are few mysteries concerning the England lineup, with Pakistan set to run into Graeme Swann, the spinner with the most wickets in the world in 2010.
England's selectors named a 12-man squad on Sunday and publicly stated a preference for six batsmen, meaning the only outstanding selection issue concerns which of the five bowlers will be the 12th man.
Stuart Broad and Swann are certain to play on their home ground, which leaves James Anderson, Steven Finn and Tim Bresnan competing for the two remaining places. AP
