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.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs India - 4th T20I 2nd T20I - Australia v Pakistan - November 16, 08:00 GMT 4th T20I - West Indies v England - November 16, 20:00 GMT 3rd T20I - West Indies v England at St. Lucia England won by 3 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) 1st T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Brisbane Australia won by 29 runs

Related links

Pakistan vs England 2011/2012 News

England Maintain Top Spot in T20 Rankings [+]

World champions England continued their domination of the ICC T20I Rankings while 2007 edition winners India occupied the sixth place in the latest chart.

England Take T20 Series in Thriller [+]

England bowlers kept their nerves in the final overs to pull off a sensational five-run win over Pakistan in the third and final Twenty20 to take the series 2-1

England Bat in T20 Decider Against Pak [+]

England captain Stuart Broad won the toss and elected to bat in the third and final Twenty20 international against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi Stadium.

After Two Whitewashes Series End With Decider [+]

After two whitewashes we now have a series decider following England's slick victory in the second Twenty20 international in Dubai.

Bairstow Shines as England Level [+]

Jonny Bairstow hit a fifty and Steven Finn took three wickets to guide England to a comfortable 38-run win in the second Twenty20 match against Pakistan.

Gul, Malik Haul Brings Pakistan Home [+]

Pacer Umar Gul took 3/18 to inspire Pakistan to a thrilling eight-run win in the first of three Twenty20 internationals against England at Dubai stadium.

Pakistan Look to Redress Balance in T20 [+]

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said his side are desperate to redress the balance in a Twenty20 international against England Thursday after a one-day series whitewash by the tourists.

Pietersen Successive Ton Secures Whitewash [+]

Kevin Pietersen hit his second successive ton to help a resurgent England beat Pakistan by four wickets in the final ODI on Tuesday for a 4-0 whitewash.

Briggs, Buttler Debut; Pakistan Bat [+]

There were plenty of changes for both sides in the 4th ODI. Jos Buttler and Danny Briggs are making their debut for England.

Pakistan Seek to Avoid Clean-sweep Against England [+]

Mohsin Khan said his team will need to raise their standards in all three departments to stop England from a clean sweep of the one-day series in the fourth match on Tuesday.