Pakistan's pace attack suffered a blow with the late withdrawal of Mohammad Asif, who had only just been reprieved from a 12-month doping ban.

In his place comes Umar Gul, a towering bowler with an advancing reputation. He was Pakistan's most successful bowler in the 2006 series in England, with 18 wickets in four games.

Gul will make his English county debut next season after signing a one-year contract with Gloucestershire.