Cricket: Pakistan with big edge on Boxing Day - Butt

MELBOURNE - Pakistan opener Salman Butt says his side has a decided edge in spin bowling over Australia ahead of the first test at the MCG, starting tomorrow.

Butt said the visitors boast the two best spinners in the world in legspinner Danish Kaneria and offspinner Saeed Ajmal, whose arsenal includes a doosra.

Butt said Pakistan's tweakers were superior to Australian offspinner Nathan Hauritz, and was hopeful his side could exploit its advantage on the wickets in Melbourne and Sydney.

"He's a good offspinner, he's conventional," Butt said of Hauritz on Thursday.

"But the advantage that Saeed has is he can spin the ball both ways and a bit faster than Hauritz.

"That makes him the best spinner.

"Hauritz is also good but I think Saeed Ajmal is much better."

- AAP