Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook will be key for England's batting division against Pakistan Getty Images

Pakistan take on England in the first of the three test series in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday (13 October) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Where to watch live

Match starts at 7am BST. Live TV coverage is available on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2 HD. Live Radio commentary will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra. Click here for the live streaming link.

Overview

Pakistan have an impressive record at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, where they are still undefeated after playing seven Test matches. They will be hoping to continue their record when they face the Three Lions in the first Test.

Misbah-ul-Haq and his men need to put in a commanding performance with the bat. They two bowlers, who Pakistan would be wary of include James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Alastair Cook's side will be without their star bowler, Steven Finn, for the opening Test after he suffered a bone stress injury. He sustained the injury during a warm-up match against Pakistan A in Sharjah. He picked four wickets in the match.

Meanwhile, the pitch is likely to favour quick bowlers early in the match. As it progress, the spinners will play a crucial role, while the pacers' short spells will be vital in rotating the bowling.

Prediction

Pakistan to win

Betting odds (888Sport.com)

  • Pakistan to win: 13/10
  • Draw: 28/13
  • England to win: 11/5

Team news

Pakistan

Possible XI: Shan Masood, Ahmed Shehzad, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (C), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (WK), Wahab Riaz, Imran Khan, Zulfiqar Babar, Rahat Ali

England

Possible XI: Alastair Cook (C), Moeen Ali, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (WK), Adil Rashid, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson

Pakistan England