ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: Pakistan great Sarfraz Nawaz said on Tuesday that recalling leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed to the side for the England series was a mistake and that he would be no threat to the tourists.

“He is slow in the air and off the wicket and has no bite,” the former Test paceman said of the bowler who has returned to the side after two years.

Mushtaq’s recall has come about because of his exploits at Sussex where he has had a good season. The spinner has 185 wickets to his name in 52 Tests he has played.

Sarfraz who took 177 wickets in 55 Tests said that spinning wickets would do Pakistan no good and added that their chances rested mainly on Shoaib Akhtar.

“We should ensure that he stays fit for the entire series.”

He termed the absence of fast bowler Simon Jones from the England line-up as a big blow to them but rubbished all talk about reverse swing being an asset on Pakistani pitches.

“What are we talking about, winter is about to set in and it will take days for the ball to dry up, so I don’t think reverse swing will be possible.”