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Both Pakistan and England will look to put their contentious recent history behind them when the first test gets under way on Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates.

The last time the two teams met in the test arena it ended in disaster, with three Pakistani cricketers eventually ending up in Jail after being convicted of spot fixing in a scandal that rocked the sport to it’s very foundations.

Both sides have expressed their desire to move on from those dark days in the build-up to this three test series held in the UAE as Pakistan’s ban on hosting a home test series, and England in particular will be eager to get back on the field and further prove their credentials as the best side in test cricket.

2011 marked an outstanding year for England as they rose to the top of the test rankings with series wins over Sri Lanka and India after they had claimed their first Ashes victory down under for over 25 years.

However they’ll certainly remember the lesson they were taught after the victorious 2005 Ashes series where they travelled to Pakistan riding a wave of confidence after perhaps the greatest test series of all time, only to come unstuck on the dusty tracks of the subcontinent.

One real cause for concern for head coach Andy Flower is the fitness of Graeme Swann going into the first test. Officially the world’s best slow bowler, Swann was rested from England’s tour fixture against an ICC Combined Associate & Affiliate XI as a “precaution”, but the 32-year-old did appear against a Pakistan Cricket Board XI on Wednesday so should be ready to play in the first test.

Monty Panesar is also part of the touring squad and could get play in his first test match since the first test of the 2009 Ashes in Cardiff.

Panesar further added to his cult status that day thanks to his obdurate batting that helped England scrape to a draw, but he’ll be hoping to do a lot better with the ball this time round if his international career does get a second wind on helpful tracks – his average of just under 35 certainly leaves room for improvement.

Tim Bresnan will miss the tour altogether after suffering an elbow injuy and undergoing surgery, meaning Graham Onions and Steve Finn will scrap it out for a starting spot alongside Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad in the pace department.

Match winner

While England enjoyed perhaps their finest year on record in 2011 they face a Pakistan side undergoing something of a resurgence.

The visitors remain favourites but Pakistan have won their last four test series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and West Indies and will certainly pose a few problems for England.

England are 2.75 (7/4) with Bet365 to take the win in the first test while Pakistan are 3.75 (11/4) with BlueSQ to cause an upset. The draw is 2.50 (6/4) with Ladbrokes.

Top England Batsman

Alastair Cook picked up where he left off in the warm up match against a Pakistan Cricket Board Xi on Wednesday, hitting a century to help England recover from a shaky start.

The Essex man is favourite at 5.00 (4/1) with BlueSQ to do what he does best and top score for England, while returning number three Jonathan Trott, the current ICC player of the year, is priced the same to lead the way.

Kevin Pietersen has yet to hit a big score in the warm up matches having been undone by his old fow left arm spin, but the big hitting Surrey man can always be backed to put on a show when it matters and is a good bet at 6.00 (5/1) with Ladbrokes.

Recommended Bets

Top England Batsman: Kevin Pietersen, 6.00 (5/1)Ladbrokes

Highest opening partnership: England, 1.73 (8/11) StanJames

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