1st Test: England v Pakistan at Abu Dhabi

It was confirmed yesterday that Daniel Vettori has signed a short term contract to work with the England Performance Programme spinners next month in Dubai. Vettori will join the EPP batting and spin group, led by Andy Flower, for 10 days in November and work with Zafar Ansari, Danny Briggs, Tom Westley and Stephen Parry.

This is another astute signing by England to go with the recent temporary appointment of Mahela Jayawardene.

It looks as though Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid spent some quality time together on the eve of the first Test at the Grand Mosque.

Pakistan win the toss and elect to bat. Yasir Shah misses out through injury and is replaced by Imran Khan. Moeen Ali does indeed open the batting with Cook, while Adil Rashid is called upon to make his Test debut.

Doing great, how are you Chair? Shan Masood got himself into an almighty tangle trying to play that short ball from Jimmy and the ball canons off his helmet into his stumps, out bowled for 2. 5/1.

According to David Lloyd, there were a total of 54 people in the crowd at the start of play.

Ian Bell drops an absolute dolly in the slips. Shocking. England will regret that. You can't afford to drop those in these conditions and on this wicket.

286 - 4 after 87 overs

Shoaib 124*

Partnership of 168 with Hazeez  98