Asif a young McGrath

Big things are expected from Pakistan's great new hope Mohammad Asif, who has been dubbed a 'young Glenn McGrath'.

The 23-year-old fast-medium bowler will come in to the Pakistani side to fill one of the gaps left by injured pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan for the upcoming tour of England.

Pakistan's vice-captain Younis Khan believes Asif will make a big impact in the Test series against England.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Asif made a big impression on this England tour. We are obviously missing Shoaib (Akhtar) and also probably Rana Naved for the first Test at least but Asif will make an impression, I'm sure," he said.

"He is looking like a young Glenn McGrath at the moment. He is not 'very' fast but he's accurate, knows about line and length and has a good, mature cricket brain for a youngster."

Asif made his Test debut against Australia last year and has since played five matches for Pakistan, taking 25 wickets at an average of 20.

Pakistan goes into the Test series in confident mood having taken out the home series against England last year 2-0.

Khan said Pakistan's disappointing performance during their last tour of England will not be repeated again.

"The conditions are very good for us at the moment, which wasn't the case back in 2001 when we were confronted with a moist pitch at Lord's in the middle of May and were beaten by an innings after failing to come to terms with England's seamers," said Khan.

"Playing later in the (northern) summer will help us this time with the weather being much warmer and the wickets drier. We are used to these kind of dry conditions with the sun out so it should be good for us."

The four-Test series begins at Lord's on July 13.

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