Pakistan Opt to Bat, England Pick Panesar

Abu Dhabi: Pakistan have opted to bat first. One change, Junaid Khan comes in for Aizaz Cheema. Strauss said that he too would have batted first. Monty Panesar comes in for the homeward-bound Chris Tremlett.

So no five bowlers for England as a few may have suspected. That means Steven Finn will have to sit out again. There was talk yesterday that he could be the man replacing Tremlett.

This is the first time England have played two spinners in a four-man attack since December 2003. First for Panesar since the Cardiff Jailbreak of 2009.

At the time of the toss it looked a bit cloudy so if it continues that way, it might be better news for England's seamers. However, the prediction is that this is a placid track.

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