UAE series: Alastair Cook-ing perfect opening formula against Pakistan

England captain ready to test Moeen Ali and Alex Hales as partners for mid-October tour

England Test captain Alastair Cook believes he has a couple of options to play with him at the opening position against Pakistan in the UAE series scheduled to be held in mid-October.

“The conditions are quite unique and I think we have to cover our bases quite a bit,” said Cook, while talking to Sky Sports in an interview.

“We might have to do a short-term option; it might be that Mo opens the batting in this series and doesn’t open in South Africa, or Alex takes his chance in the warm-up game and we go with that balance of the side.”

“We have options; we’ve got to be pretty clear early on in the tour what we’re going to do. We have got our ideas but we haven’t chatted with the lads.”

Meanwhile, left-arm all-rounder Moeen Ali said that he can play at any position where the team wants him to play.

“I’m pretty happy wherever [the team wants me to play]. I’d love to open in the UAE if I got the opportunity, but I’m happy at eight. If the captain and the coach wanted me to open, I’d be happy to do that,” said Moeen.

England need to play spin well: Pietersen

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen hopes that England can curb Pakistan’s spin attack otherwise they won’t stand a chance against the hosts.

"We got hammered there last time we went,” said Pietersen, as quoted by Cricket World.

“We didn't play spin well. If the guys play spin well - and there are some really good players in that batting line-up - hopefully they'll do well. I really want to see them do well.”

England have never won a Test in the UAE as they have played only three matches at the venue in the famous 3-0 thrashing by Pakistan in 2012.