Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent

There's a frailty to Pakistan. They're unpredictable and they've not been playing well recently.

There's bounce for Gus Atkinson, who shares the new ball with Woakes on his first appearance outside of England.

It's maiden to start from England's quick. There are not many in the ground yet.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent

Chris Woakes has hit a lovely length. That's one of the hardest things when you switch from playing at home to playing away.

I'm sure Chris Woakes will know everyone will be talking about his traveling woes and he'll be buoyed by the fact there's a bit of green below his feet.

It's not a gloomy day at Trent Bridge - there's not a cloud in the bright blue sky in fact - but there's a hint of movement for him in the first over with one lbw shout turned down.

Steven Finn
Former England fast bowler on BBC Test Match Special

There are definitely cracks running down the middle of the pitch so it will be interesting to see if the grass holds those cracks together as the Test progresses.

It wouldn't be cricket without a delay because some fella is wandering in front of the sightscreen...

Stephan spreading the joy as ever...

Right then. The anthems are done. Pakistan's batters are making their way to the middle and Chris Woakes has the ball in hand.

Who is up?

Image source, Reuters

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer in Multan

Good morning from Multan, where we've topped 30 degrees before 10am.

England have been here for the best part of a week, training at the ground for the past three mornings and playing golf at their hotel. They have been in good spirits, bar Baz McCullum yesterday taking exception to questions about James Anderson's absence.

My take? It's not a huge deal. Anderson arrives tomorrow and England have not had a specialist fast-bowling coach for a while, albeit with Anderson as a resource in the dressing room.

Still, England's luck would have it that their inexperienced bowling attack is exposed at the earliest opportunity, with Anderson in the departure lounge. You can guess the narrative if today does not go well.

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

It could do a little bit in the first hour, there might be something in the surface.

It is baking hot out there and the green grass on the surface won't be green any more. The pitch will dry out and cracks will appear over the Test.

The first hour could be really important. The pitch has changed colour while we've been here.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Woakes - not played overseas since March 2022. Averages 52 away from home compared to 22 in England

Gus Atkinson - has never played an overseas Test

Brydon Carse - on debut

Jack Leach - first Test since since getting injured against India in January

Shoaib Bashir - playing only his 10th Test and first in Pakistan

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

Pakistan Cricket has changed so much since the last time England toured here.

I'm really interested to see how they regroup and get back together for this Test series.

Image source, Getty Images

But if I have learned one thing it is to never write off Pakistan.

England may have steamrollered them two years ago but this time they have Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah in their bowling ranks.

It's hotter too - much hotter.

England, whose bowling attack is very inexperienced, were playing one-day internationals against Australia in a freezing cold Bristol eight days ago.

Fans of Pakistan cricket will know recent times have not been easy.

They are winless in their past five Tests and their past 10 at home.

Shan Masood is yet to win a game as skipper and there were already calls for him to stand aside after a recent 2-0 series defeat at home against Bangladesh.

Test Match Special's Aatif Nawaz has been assessing the troubles for us

England captain Ollie Pope: "I came prepared to captain just in case. I am looking forward to the challenge.

"It is obviously hot. We have trained really well. We are ready for that challenge.

"We would have batted first but there is a bit of moisture in the pitch. Hopefully we can make use of that early."

On debutant Brydon Carse: "I am excited to see him go. He has got that extra bit of pace."

Pakistan captain Shan Masood: "We asked for a good cricket wicket, everyone is stacked with he batting and we've got two spinners and three seamers and we want to see good cricket from all departments.

"We've been in winning positions and not won from there so that has created some hurt within the camp and Pakistan cricket fraternity but we're looking to get back on track."

We already knew Ben Stokes was out of this one, having failed to recover from his hamstring injury.

Brydon Carse, impressive in the recent one-dayers against Australia, makes his Test debut.

England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (capt), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (capt), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.

Ollie Pope is still standing in for Ben Stokes as England captain and Pope has lost the toss.

The hosts' skipper Shan Masood decides to bat first on a pitch with a hint of green.

Image source, Getty Images

Good morning early risers. England are in Pakistan where they will attempt to repeat one of their early Bazball triumphs.

Two years ago they won here 3-0 in quite magnificent fashion but younger, less experienced team arrives this time.

Three Tests will follow over the next three weeks. The first two are in Multan where the toss is just about to take place...

Image source, Getty Images

England's latest test...