Pakistan v England: Alastair Cook backs his 'underdogs' in UAE

England Test captain Alastair Cook says Pakistan's record in the UAE is "exceptional" and hopes that his "underdogs" can upset the odds in the three-Test series, which begins on Tuesday.

Cook, 30, backs Moeen Ali to demonstrate his "amazing ability to contribute" when he opens in the first Test, despite having batted down the order at number eight in the summer's Ashes triumph.

Moeen's rise up the order leaves a spot for Yorkshire spinner Adil Rashid to make his Test debut, but fast bowler Steven Finn has been ruled out with a stress injury to his left foot.