Pakistan Test squad to face England in UAE, 2012

Misbah-ul-Haq (captain)
Although he made his Test debut in 2001, it was not until 2007 that Misbah truly made his mark on international cricket, with back-to-back centuries in India. In October 2010, the gritty and resourceful batsman was appointed as his country’s captain and has gone on to prove himself as a highly effective leader.

Mohammad Hafeez
Viewed a player of great potential for many years, Hafeez finally delivered the goods in 2011 with a series of impressive performances in Tests and one-day internationals. An elegant opening batsman who often looks to take the attack to the opposition, he represents an integral part of Pakistan’s batting line-up, and his off-spin bowling should not be underestimated.

Taufeeq Umar
Another batsman to have drifted in and out of the international arena over the years, Taufeeq also appears to have established himself at the top of the order. Strong through the off side, particularly when playing the cut stroke, he displayed admirable patience and technique in compiling a career-best 236 against Sri Lanka in October.

Imran Farhat
Farhat is a left-handed opening batsman who has not featured for the Test side since scoring just 118 runs in eight innings on Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010. He appears unlikely to feature barring injury or illness, but will be keen to prove a point should he earn a surprise call-up, having so far failed to live up to his early promise.

Azhar Ali
A middle-order batsman with a compact technique and high levels of concentration, Azhar is gradually growing into a key figure for Pakistan. In seven Tests prior to this winter's visit of England, he reached 50 on seven occasions and recorded a maiden hundred against Sri Lanka in Dubai.

Younus Khan
Now 34, and having returned from a ban imposed by the PCB in March 2010, Younus is the rock around which Pakistan build their batting line-up. A popular and graceful figure, he has churned out over 6,000 Test runs during a distinguished career and shows no sign of slowing down, as evidenced by an unbeaten double hundred against Bangladesh in December.

Asad Shafiq
Shafiq filled the number six berth in the recent series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, scoring his first international century against the latter in Chittagong. However, doubts persist over his technique against the short ball - a weakness England will hope to exploit even on the docile surfaces of the United Arab Emirates.

Umar Akmal
A powerful and flamboyant middle-order batsman capable of scoring runs all around the wicket, Umar certainly possesses plenty of talent, yet his temperament remains questionable. At 21, time remains on his side, and, having been recalled to the Test squad, he is likely to pose a significant threat to England should he be called upon.

Adnan Akmal (wicketkeeper)
The youngest of the three Akmal brothers to have kept wicket for Pakistan, Adnan is undoubtedly a more reliable presence behind the stumps than either Kamran or Umar. A top-score of 53 in 10 Test innings prior to the visit of England suggests he has work to do with the bat if he is to make the wicketkeeper's place his own.

Umar Gul
Renowned as one of the world’s most potent bowlers in Twenty20 cricket, Gul has not quite enjoyed the same success at Test level. Yet he remains a canny operator, capable of gaining prodigious movement through the air and off the pitch. The 27-year-old has been charged with leading an inexperienced pace attack this winter.

Aizaz Cheema
Called into Pakistan’s side for the first time shortly before his 32nd birthday, Cheema has enjoyed an impressive introduction to the international arena, with 19 wickets in his first four Test appearances. He no longer possesses the raw pace that saw him attract attention as a youngster, but is capable of outwitting batsmen with his variations.

Junaid Khan
A familiar face to county cricket fans following a stint with Lancashire last summer, left-armer Junaid is the brightest star in Pakistan’s pace bowling ranks. At 22, he has already been compared to the legendary Wasim Akram and he will hope to enhance his burgeoning reputation with a strong showing against the world’s leading Test side.

Wahab Riaz
Another left-arm seamer with county experience, Riaz operates at a brisk pace, but has often struggled for consistency. He impressed on Test debut against England in 2010 with first-innings figures of 5-63, but has so far failed to follow up his initial success. He was recalled for this series after a six-month absence from international cricket.

Saeed Ajmal
Ajmal’s duel with England’s Graeme Swann is likely to be among the more intriguing elements of the series. A latecomer to the international game at 30, the off-spinner has developed into one of the world’s leading bowlers and claimed more Test wickets than any other player in 2011. His doosra is a particularly potent weapon, while his control of flight and length is admirable.

Abdur Rehman
A left-arm spinner who rarely gains anything more than modest turn, Rehman’s chief weapons are accuracy and consistency. Dropped for three years after his first two Test appearances, he is now firmly established in Pakistan’s line-up and provides an effective foil to the more flamboyant Ajmal. After a quiet series against Sri Lanka, he picked up 11 wickets in two Tests in Bangladesh.

Mohammad Talha was ruled out of the second and third Tests on January 23 due to a disc problem.