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Opening slot an issue: Trevor Bliss

Sharjah - "It is a big challenge for us who is going to open the innings. No one at the moment is putting his hands up for the job. Moeen might be a better choice because he can handle the spinners well," England coach Trevor Bliss said while talking to media during the post-match Press conference.

England will face Pakistan in the first Test in four days' time in Abu Dhabi and they are exploring every possibility to finalise the playing eleven as soon as possible. Their 3-0 humiliation at the hands of the hosts in the 2011-12 series still haunts them and they will try their best to avoid such a situation this time.
England's biggest problem at the moment is who will open the batting with captain Alastair Cook. There are two candidates - Moeen Ali and Alex Hales in the running but Moeen is likely to get the nod for the first Test.
"It is a big challenge for us who is going to open the innings. No one at the moment is putting his hands up for the job. Moeen might be a better choice because he can handle the spinners well," England coach Trevor Bliss said while talking to media during the post-match Press conference.
The Australian added: "We know opening the innings is a highly technical job and Moeen has never opened in a first class match yet. We still have got four days to decide and keeping in mind the wicket in Abu Dhabi, we will finalise the playing eleven.
"I am satisfied with the performance of the team in the two-day games here and some of our batsmen (Ian Bell, Jos Buttler and James Taylor) have had a good outing. I hope it will help them to perform better in the Tests."
Meanwhile, Pakistan A manager Mohammad Akram said he was more than satisfied with the fight his boys gave England.
The former fast bowler said: "It was heartening to see performances by Mir Hamza and Zafar Gohar. They are on selectors' radar. Junaid Khan and Adnan Akmal also rose to the occasion."
Akram added: "Pakistan stand a good chance to do well in the series. History favours us and 3-0 drubbing in 2011-12 still haunts England. They lost the series in the presence of Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar. They lack depth in spin department."