Daijiworld Media Network

Dubai, Jan 17: Welcome to the first Test between Pakistan and England from Dubai. It is a new beginning for both teams in 2012. Pakistan had a wonderful 2011 across all formats and they would look to continue their great run here. England, on the other hand, are the number one side in Tests and they will be playing in conditions that are alien to their bowlers.

England have all to do in conditions where they have been poor. With the added burden of being the No.1 Test side, they will be desperate to reverse their fortunes here. The loss of Tim Bresnan will be a big blow to the English pace attack as he has the capability to bowl long spells in hot conditions and he can also reverse swing the ball.

Under Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan have blossomed and they are playing as one unit. The conditions in the UAE make them favorites against an England side that is playing competitive cricket after a gap of two months.

The recent contests between these two nations have been volatile to say the least. The last time they played in a Test series was in England in 2010 and that was marred by the spot-fixing controversy. Every time these teams have played against each other, controversy has seemed to plague them.

Pitch Report: There is an even covering of grass on this pitch and it is a bit dry. There are some cracks opening up and there will be some bounce on this track. It will be slow bounce. David Lloyd reckons that there will be a lot of runs on offer on this track. There will be some swing on offer for the bowlers.

Teams:

Pakistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq(c), Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal(w), Umar Gul, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema

England (Playing XI): Andrew Strauss(c), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior(w), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett

Misbah: We are playing two spinners. Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema are the pacers. I am enjoying captaining the side. England are the top side in Tests and it is a Test for all of us. UAE is like home and we have played here for a long time. We know the conditions well.

Strauss: It looks like a good wicket. We have gone for three seamers and one spinner. Tremlett is the pacer along with Anderson and Broad. Swann is the spinner. We are not sure if it will turn much and it is a well balanced team. The wickets are slow and the batsmen have to be patient. We are very excited to be playing Test cricket after a break. Pakistan have been playing good cricket for the last 12 months and we are excited about the challenge.

England have won the toss and elected to bat