Daijiworld Media Network
UAE, Feb 3 : Pakistan have sealed the series with a Test match to go. Strauss has started the new year and the defence of the No.1 position in the worst possible manner. There has never been a whitewash when these two teams have played and the chances of breaking that duck looks very likely unless England come up with a magic formula against spin. The No.1 ranking is very shaky and England can lose their numero uno spot with another loss. So, all to play for and we are back at Dubai for the 3rd and the final Test.
Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat
Misbah: The pitch looks very dry. Cheema is in for Junaid. We are concentrating on doing well in this game. It is nice that everyone is chipping in and doing their best. We want to carry on with the good form.
Strauss: We wanted to bat first. Hopefully, there will be something in it for our pacers. I have got a lot of faith in my players. No changes in the team. We want to be consistent in our selection and if somebody has to be left out, it should be for a reason. We have not played well as a package, our bowling has been very good and we are looking forward to the match.
Teams:
Pakistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq(c), Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal(w), Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, 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, Monty Panesar