Wasim lauds Johnson's new swing

Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram believes Mitchell Johnson’s newfound ability to swing the ball has seen him become one of the world’s elite fast bowlers.

Akram’s vicious left-arm pace and hooping swing tore batting line-ups apart throughout his 17-year career, and now it’s another southpaw speedster that’s caught his eye.

“Mitchell Johnson has improved immensely over the last two years,” Akram said in Dubai.

“The reason: he’s bringing the ball back into the right-handers especially with the new ball.

“Obviously he’s got pace, 150(kph) plus, he’s unplayable (at that speed).

“We’ve seen him against South Africa, we’ve seen him against England in Australia. He’s definitely up there (with the best bowlers in the world).

“He’s batting well, he’s bowling well. He’s one of the best fast bowlers in world cricket now and for me it’s a treat to watch somebody with his pace and his swing. “

Johnson’s meteoric return to form that saw him capture 37 English wickets during last summer’s Ashes series, dominate South Africa on their own turf and be Australia’s standout bowler in the first Test loss to Pakistan has brought on comparisons between the hostile Australian and the Pakistani swing king.

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But according to Akram’s long-time new ball partner and Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis, the 32-year-old Australian has plenty of work to do yet before being mentioned in the same breath as his champion former teammate.

"I won't compare anyone with Wasim," Younis said ahead of the first Test in Dubai.

"He is a legend and has done wonderful things for Pakistan over the last decade or so.

"Johnson has a long way to go if he wants to be compared with Wasim, but yes he is definitely a threat and a very fine bowler."

However Waqar did agree with Akram’s assessment of Johnson when it came to his development since overcoming a toe injury that ruled him out of cricket for six months in 2011.

"There is no doubt that he is an X-factor. He is the most improved bowler in the last few years,” Waqar said.

"Initially in his career he had not been that big a threat but in the last two to three years, he has definitely changed his mode and become a lot better bowler.

"He is more attacking and we know that they may use him in short spells and look for wickets from him. He is a fine bowler." 

Younis will be hoping for a repeat performance of the emphatic 221-run win in the first Test in Dubai, but Akram says Australia will bounce back with the toss looming as the crucial factor. 

“It depends on the wicket again, if it’s a similar wicket to Dubai then it all depends on the toss as well,” said Akram.

“If you win the toss you bat get 375-400 there’s always a chance Pakistan can win that series but knowing Australians they’ll come back hard.”