Aamer 8216;cleverer than I8217;: Akram

After seeing Aamer wrap up Australia8217;s first innings yesterday by bowling tailender Doug Bollinger with an inswinging yorker,an admiring Wasim said: 8220;It was exciting to watch Aamer bowl so well at Lord8217;s.

8220;He is a special talent and has pace,nip and can swing the ball both ways which is ideal for a paceman,and augurs well for his future.8221;

Aamer has risen by leaps and bounds to become Pakistan8217;s spearhead since making his debut last year and served further notice of his enormous potential with another impressive display at Lord8217;s.

His efforts,ably supported by pace partner Mohammad Asif three for 63,helped a new-look Pakistan team dismiss Australia for 253 on the second day of the first of two Tests that have both been moved to England because of security fears in Pakistan.

The 18-year-old Aamer8217;s pace,swing and exuberance have already led experts to compare Aamer with Wasim,widely regarded as the best left-arm fast bowler ever to have played international cricket.

But Wasim said Aamer was already ahead of him in one respect.

8220;He is much cleverer than when I was 18,8221; said Wasim who took ten wickets in his only second Test,against New Zealand at Dunedin in 1984.

8220;Aamer has got a head start and is a quick learner,so I see no reason why he can8217;t go on to become a leading fast bowler.

8220;He is already spearheading the Pakistan pace attack and watching him bowl on Tuesday,everything pitched up,banging in every delivery and testing the best batsmen in the world excited me no end.8221;

Wasim though advised Aamer to bowl closer to the stumps. 8220;What I noticed at Lord8217;s and in the series in Australia wrapped up earlier this year where Aamer starred despite Pakistan8217;s 3-0 Test campaign defeat is that he bowls wide of the crease.

8220;That may help the ball to come in to right handers,but on slower tracks it won8217;t work,so he needs to bowl closer to the stumps,8221; Wasim explained.

8220;Some people say his physique is not that of a fast bowler,but he is only 18. He can strengthen his muscles with time and I am sure he will spend more time in the gym,8221; said Wasim,who took 414 Test and 502 one-day wickets both Pakistani records.

8220;I have not seen him recently but I8217;m always happy to meet him and pass on a few tips.8221;

Wasim hoped Aamer8217;s experience of England pitches with the Pakistan Under-19 team in 2007 would come in handy.

8220;Aamer took quite a few wickets when he toured England with the Under-19 team in 2007,so I think he will be very useful on this tour,with four Tests against England as well,and lead Pakistan to wins.8221;

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja also praised Aamer8217;s progress.

8220;I think Aamer is more mature than Wasim at 18,8221; said Raja,in England as a television commentator. 8220;Aamer8217;s progress augurs well for Pakistan and I hope he continues to work hard and take the Pakistan team forward.8221;

Aamer was yesterday warned about his future conduct by match referee Chris Broad after he collided with Australia captain Ricky Ponting while celebrating his wicket in the first Test at Lord8217;s.