Daijiworld Media Network
Abu Dhabi, Feb 13 : Welcome to the first of the four ODIs between Pakistan and England from Abu Dhabi. Pakistan have been on a high after whitewashing England 3-0 in the Tests. They have been in exceptional form even in the ODIs. Since January 2011, Pakistan have played 33 ODIs, with 25 victories and seven losses. England have not maintained their consistency in the ODI format and Pakistan will be looking to exploit this aspect.
Pitch Report: This is a dry pitch. There are a lot of cracks but this pitch has a nice sheen on it. Nick Knight reckons that it will be a batting paradise and it will be a trial by spin for England. The average score is 251.
Pakistan have been wonderful with the bat and the ball but have struggled in the fielding. England will be looking to exploit this weakness as they look for a turn-around in this tour. Stay tuned for the toss and the team updates.
England have won the toss and elected to bat
There are some changes in the England squad. Tim Bresnan comes back after missing the Test series due to an elbow injury. Ian Bell and Andrew Strauss have returned home. Kevin Pietersen, who had a torrid time in the Tests, will open the batting.
Misbah: I would have batted first. We are playing two seamers. Everybody is sticking to the basics and they are giving some good performances. We just want to bat better. We have struggled in the batting and this ODI series gives us a chance to bat well. Shahid Afridi is a wonderful player and he contributes well with the ball in ODIs.
Cook: I will bat first as it is a good wicket. Bresnan misses out today. I am looking forward to opening the batting with KP. He got us off to a good start in the World Cup. We need to learn how to rotate the strike and we hope to bat freely. We start afresh and we can put pressure on Pakistan.
Pakistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq(c), Umar Akmal(w), Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz
England (Playing XI): Alastair Cook(c), Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan, Craig Kieswetter(w), Samit Patel, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn