GC: I have a gut feeling Babar Azam will be like Smith and Labuschagne last summer. Impossible to get out. But at least he’s likeable.

It takes four deliveries before James Anderson is threatening the outside edge of Shan Masood's bat, a little edge tickler zipping through to Jos Buttler at a nice height.

There's movement there for Anderson, the ball shaping back and nipping over the top of the stumps, and it'll be a maiden to get proceedings going.

A little ungainly, Shan Masood playing across his pads, but the outside edge bobbles towards slip and we're off!

Shan Masood averages 2.5 against Jimmy Anderson. He's been out six times to him.

And he's going to face the first ball from the great man from the James Anderson End...

James Anderson is the first England player out on the field, closely followed by Stuart Broad.

It'll be Shan Masood and Abid Ali to get things under way with the bat.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

I always get excited when Pakistan arrive. You always see exciting cricket, a couple of names you've never heard, a lot of talent. I think this series will be a lot closer than the West Indies Tests. I think we're in for a ripper.

The players are gathered on the balcony edge for a moment of silence to commemorate those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Azhar Mahmood
Former Pakistan all-rounder on Test Match Special

It's a positive move for Pakistan to pick Shadab Khan ahead of a batsman. He's playing so well and the management are backing him.

It will be tough for the batsmen this morning with the new Dukes ball and facing Anderson and Broad. If they can get through the new ball then they'll be in a good position.

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

England's Jos Buttler on TMS: "I think the last game is as good as I have felt in the middle in a long time. I have to build on that and show more consistency, I'm excited by that challenge.

"The make-up of our side, playing the extra seamer, it's a relentless attack coming at you. Broad says he's bowling the best he's ever bowled and that's clear to see. He looks in great rhythm, attacks and makes the batsmen play a lot."

Pakistan's names and numbers on the back of their shirts are green and it looks fabulous.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

I see this as a great chance for Pakistan. If they bat out the day and get to something like 300, we've seen this England team struggle when batting second.

Weather watchpublished at 10:52 British Summer Time 5 August 2020

10:52 BST 5 August 2020

BBC weatherman Owain Wyn Evans on TMS: "The conditions aren't looking too bad for the next couple of hours and the rest of the day. Perhaps some drizzly showers today but hopefully mostly dry.

"There is quite a bit of cloud cover and a breeze which will ease throughout the day.

"Over the next couple of days we will see more brightness and temperatures rising.

"So, not looking too bad apart form the odd drizzly shower this afternoon."

I am very excited for Babar Azam.

What makes Babar Azam so special?

How exciting is this young Pakistan pace attack?

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who is a part of the Test Match Special commentary team, previews the series and selects his Pakistan players to watch out for.

Image source, BBC Sport

England captain Joe Root: "It's been nice to get home and refresh the minds. We're looking to make the most of the overhead conditions, even though we would have batted first too. We have got something to work with.

"Ben is still not 100% fit to bowl and his batting is so valuable to us, and there's so much cricket left to play this summer, we didn't want to take the risk. We want to get ahead of the game early and drive it from there."

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at Emirates Old Trafford

Given the conditions, that is a big call from Pakistan. The pitch is dry, so should be good to bat on now and suitable for the leggies later in the match. However, the overheads are made to order for Broad, Anderson et al. We say it's a big first hour so often that the words have lost meaning. However, by the end of today, we'll have a very good idea of which way this Test is heading.

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali: "Obviously the overhead conditions will help the bowlers but we were very clear in our heads that we want to bat first.

"Because of the composition of the team, we wanted an all-rounder which also means we'll have two leg-spinners.

"Coming to England will always be a challenge but we are up for it and want to make sure we go positively, start well and take it on from there.

"It's great to be back playing cricket and that people can watch at home during these tough times."

England: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Dominic Bess, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.

Pakistan: Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali (c), Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah.

Umpires: Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough; TV umpire: Michael Gough

Joe Root's hair is still terrible, by the way.