Azhar's advice for Pakistan

By Azhar Mahmood Pakistan and Surrey all-rounder

Against England in Pakistan late last year, the leg-spinner Danish Kaneria bowled well in tandem with Shoaib Akhtar

If Pakistan want to gain a consolation victory at The Oval, they have to stand up and play for pride and they have to find the patience to take 20 wickets.

It has been very disappointing to see Pakistan lose our first series in England for 24 years.

Steve Harmison bowled really well at Old Trafford and Monty Panesar, too - Pakistan do not have anyone like them.

Panesar did really well in India, where the surfaces favoured him but at Headingley last week he did not have much help and still did well.

Before him only Ashley Giles and New Zealand's Daniel Vettori stood out as slow left-armers.

Giles bowled over the wicket but Panesar comes around the wicket, turns the ball and is a threat all the time.

Both teams have injury problems among their bowlers but England have found good back-up and Pakistan have struggled.

Shoaib Akhtar has definitely been missed because he is a match-winner. Mohammad Asif and Rana Naved were both doing well in county cricket too before their injuries.

Against England in Pakistan late last year, the leg-spinner Danish Kaneria bowled well in tandem with Shoaib.

Shoaib put pressure on England's batsmen, they went for runs against Danish instead and Danish got wickets.

Here it's a different story.

People say I have left international cricket but I want to assure them I am just waiting for my chance to play for Pakistan

Of Pakistan's pacemen, Shahid Nazir bowled well in the last Test at Headingley, Umar Gul did OK but he is inexperienced while Mohammad Sami is trying hard but really struggling.

I have played at The Oval for the last five years and this season wickets have been quite flat with good bounce and some turn.

To take wickets you need to be patient and find that channel outside off stump, rather than bowling both sides of the wicket.

I would love to be part of the solution and I have no idea why I'm not in the team.

I've been doing well here for the last five years and I know these conditions very well. I'm fully fit and I have been bowling really well.

People say I have left international cricket but I want to assure them I am just waiting for my chance to play for Pakistan. There is nothing like playing for your country.

I think I've got a chance to get back into the side for the one-day series both because of the injuries but also because I'm good enough to play international cricket.

I spoke to Bob Woolmer before the series started and he said he would keep an eye on my statistics throughout the season.

I said, "Keep watching them and I'll try to perform."