Paul Collingwood and Liam Plunkett show off their efforts so far

The winner of the competition will be judged on the morning of the first Test in Multan on 12 November.

Hampshire spinner Shaun Udal told The Sun: "Kevin Pietersen and Liam Plunkett are winning with some absolute beauties under their noses."

The 36-year-old added: "I look a bit like Hitler, but I'll keep trying."

It was because the players were so bored that the idea sprang to life.

Clearly, the delights of sitting in hotel rooms playing computer games have worn off.

Perhaps Michael Vaughan and his men have found inspiration in the New Zealand team's decision in February to do something similar.

England's players have eight days to emulate something like this

On that occasion, the Kiwis rose admirably to the challenge set by some of their fans - the Beige Brigade - to wear moustaches for the inaugural Twenty20 International against Australia in Auckland.

The Beige Brigade sent 624 cans of lager to Chris Cairns' club, Lancaster Park-Woolston, after the popular all-rounder was judged the winner.

The main point was to pay homage to Kiwi stars of 20 years ago - players like the regularly-moustachioed Richard Hadlee and Jeremy Coney.

And there was at least one precedent for that, too.

Australia's top tennis players decided to don moustaches in homage to John Newcombe for the Davis Cup final against Spain in 2000.

England's cricketers would be wise to reach for their Wilkinson Swords before Vaughan heads out for the toss on the morning of the first Test, however.