England could be faced with a familiar spin threat in their first post-Ashes assignment with veteran Mushtaq Ahmed being considered for a recall.

Mushtaq's 80 first-class wickets for Sussex last summer have put him into the reckoning for the three-Test series in Pakistan, which begins next month.

With Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who was in Australia for the Super Series, admitting England are favourites to win and not a team against which to expose youngsters, the 35-year-old may get the chance to partner fellow leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

Pakistan feel their best chance of derailing Michael Vaughan's team, who have won their past six Test series, including the 2-1 success over Australia, will be to attack with their slow bowlers as well as their pacemen.

Inzamam said of the potential inclusion of 52-cap Mushtaq, whose only two appearances in the past four and a half years came on home soil against South Africa in 2003-04: ''The selectors are going to take a decision and it is possible.

''Mushtaq has plenty of experience and did well for Sussex this summer.

''I am not in favour of blooding anyone in a series of such pressure as the pressure could get to the individual. Experience is useful.''

England triumphed on the tour in 2001, when they outlasted their opponents to seal victory at the death, in near darkness in Karachi, and they will have to combat foreign conditions once again in the face of a multi-faceted attack.

''A home team has only one advantage - the wickets you play on,'' Inzamam added. ''Danish Kaneria has been our main bowler for the past year and we intend giving him wickets which will offer assistance.

''At the same time the wickets won't be such that the quicks have to despair.

''After all, if Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami and Shabbir Ahmed are fit and available, then our opening attack will not be without teeth.''

Talk of a rift with Shoaib has been dismissed by Inzamam, although the fast bowler's well-being has been questioned during the World XI's trouncings in Australia, which means Pakistan's premier fast bowler will need to prove himself.

After sending down 17 wicketless overs at a cost of 110 runs in the opening two one-dayers, Shoaib was not considered for the third Telstra Dome contest or the six-day Test, during which he complained of nose and ear problems.

''Let me clarify that I don't have a problem with Shoaib,'' said Inzamam. ''I don't see myself as being bigger than anybody simply because I am captain.

''If he is fit it is in my interests to have him in the team.

''He looks fit and bowled reasonably well in Melbourne, but he has to return home and play the practice first-class matches.''

While England go into their tour on the back of the hardest-fought series in memory, Pakistan's last outing was in the first week of June, when they secured a 1-1 stalemate in the West Indies.

''The break we have had is a worry for me,'' Inzamam added. ''A lay-off for four to five months is unthinkable nowadays.

''I would not have been so concerned had there been domestic cricket on back in Pakistan, but there hasn't.

''I had to watch the Ashes. I saw some of it in England and the rest of it on TV.

''England's confidence will be high and, talking realistically, they have the proper combination. I think England start favourites.

''We must play positively to dent their confidence. More important all 11 have to contribute, one or two players will not be able to swing it for us.''