#360view: Amir focus can help Pakistan

And for all the initial upset and disquiet his return caused in the Pakistan camp, his team-mates will be grateful that he is burdening the glare of the media and general public as they go about their business with fleeting hopes of garnering a series win.

Despite a dominance that has seen three successes on home soil (2005/06) and in the UAE (11/12, 15/16), Pakistan have not enjoyed a series victory in England since 1996.

But with Amir the focus of attention, new coach Mickey Arthur has been able to work his changes somewhat under the radar.

Amir’s three wickets in Taunton stole the headlines but runs for Shan Masood, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali and Younis Khan, paired with Yasir Shah looking every bit the best wrist-spinner in the world, would have been of even greater encouragement.

Pakistan are in dire need of runs at the top of the order and Masood’s first inning 62 in Taunton was welcome.

The fact Mohammad Hafeez is still struggling for form was also give few column inches as Amir dazzled with his pace and swing, easing the pressure on the right-handed opener.

Granted, you can’t look too deeply into a tour match but contributions throughout the order in both that fixture and against Sussex – where Misbah-ul- Haq hit fifty and Azhar bagged his second century on the bounce – are highly promising.

So too was Wahab Riaz’s two wickets at Hove.

More significantly, both Wahab and Misbah have this week been highlighting weaknesses of England’s own middle-order, which they have branded inexperienced and short on runs.

It is true and with Gary Ballance’s return, James Vince at the early stages of his Test career and Joe Root moving up to three there is instability for Pakistan to target.

Add in the fact that James Anderson misses out through injury and there is no better time for Pakistan to be hunting victory in what will prove a pivotal first Test of four this summer.

England will obviously be no mugs on their own turf and go into this series with Alex Hales in the form of his life, Alastair Cook having relieved his record breaking burden and Johnny Bairstow in fine touch.

Root was always seen as a natural number three also and there is no doubt that Vince, who sets the highest standards of himself, will be desperate to turn his immense talent into significant contributions with the bat.

What it leaves is the prospect of a riveting first Test that will set up the series, should the weather hold.

Not only that, it is in fine balance and after a start to the summer which saw a lacklustre Sri Lanka blown away by the hosts, the prospect of an even contest is a welcome one.

Pakistan will still go into the series as the underdogs but it will only aid their cause.

They are out to seek revenge, clear the constant murmurs of match fixing that are uttered in the same breath as Pakistan cricket by punters the world over and they have added impetus in personnel from coach downwards.

There is simply no better time for Pakistan to open up with a first Test win and a lot of that is down to the squad being able to conduct their preparations with Amir in the limelight.

And do not think the occasion will get the better of him, he has conducted himself admirably in the lead-up and with the way he is bowling this is a man on a mission with every tool in his box at his disposal.

Bar a rampant England, the only thing that can hurt their chance of Pakistan making a real impact is Pakistan itself.

Unfortunately, they have a long history of doing just that.

Five great England-Pakistan flare-ups

Cricket Xtra: Facing Amir is a Test with little value

Chopra: Time to regularise bat or empower bowler

#360view: Broad and Root must play their roles wisely if England ...

#Rewind360: India pull off Lord's heist