NOTTINGHAM, England, July 29 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan captain Salman Butt hopes some of the magic of Imran Khan, his crickethero, will rub off when he leads the team in the first Test against England here today.

Butt's captaincy debut went better than even the most fervent Pakistan supporter could have hoped with a three-wicket second Test win against Australia at Headingley last week - Pakistan's first Test victory over the Aussies in 15 years.

However, Butt would be the first to acknowledge he has a way
to go to match the captaincy achievements of Imran, the
outstanding all-rounder of the 1980s, who led Pakistan to their
only World Cup title in 1992.

"Imran Khan was the greatest captain of all time that
Pakistan have had," Butt said at Trent Bridge here on Wednesday.

"It was the courage he showed - because when he started he
had very limited resources, and he picked players who hadn't even
played first-class cricket and he made them world-beaters.

"To pick a person from nowhere, and know the ability he has
will shine for him one day, is something to admire," opening
batsman Butt added.

"Then the courage to put them in straightaway, and allow
them to be themselves, is something not many people have.

"That is the best way for a person to do well - relax and be
yourself. When you try to be something else, I don't think it
works for most people."

Butt was promoted from vice-captain after Shahid Afridi quit
Test cricket following the team's 150-run series opening loss to
Australia.

Asked if he'd experienced any surprises as Pakistan captain,
Butt told AFP: "There have been no surprises as yet - but maybe
the way it came to me was a bit of a surprise."

Pakistan played their 'home' series against Australia in
England after international cricket was suspended in their own
country following an armed attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in
Lahore in March last year.

"It's a lovely place to play cricket," Butt said of England.
"There are a lot of Pakistanis living over here, so the support
is good.

"Of course, the number one priority would be to play in
Pakistan," the 25-year-old added. "But with the unfortunate
situation which is currently going on, I think England is the
best option."

This Test series is England's last before they begin the
defence of the Ashes in Australia, starting in November.

It is nearly 25 years since they last won a Test series in
Australia and England captain Andrew Strauss said: "We're not
necessarily where we want to be, but I think we're making
improvements.

"My first series in charge we lost to the West Indies, then
beat the West Indies and won the Ashes.

"I think there's a nice progression there - but there are
areas we need to improve, no doubt about that," the opening
batsman added.