Bell was dropped for the series against Sri Lanka

Jon Lewis and Sajid Mahmood were named in a squad of 13, with Matthew Hoggard a doubt because of an injured hand.

Andrew Strauss will captain the side at Lord's on Thursday, while Flintoff recovers from an ankle injury.

Steve Harmison returns after missing the first series of the summer, the 1-1 tie with Sri Lanka, with a shin injury.

Interview: Chairman of selectors David Graveney

Bell was dropped for the three-Test series to make room for the impressive Alastair Cook, but is likely to bat at six against Pakistan after hitting 74 in this week's tour game.

JONATHAN AGNEW'S VIEW England could extend the already disturbingly long tail still further and play an extra seam bowler or they could bat Ian Bell at number six Jonathan Agnew column

He and Paul Collingwood are likely to be asked to bowl medium pace in the absence of Flintoff, who is recovering in county cricket from an ankle injury.

"You can't replace the irreplaceable so you either weaken the batting or the bowling," said selector David Graveney.

"The scenario is that Ian Bell will play and he and Paul Collingwood will supplement the four-man attack.

"Bell fully justifies being called in and I'm sure he knows there is a lot of competition, not just against Pakistan but also in the winter."

There was no place in the squad for off-spin all-rounder Jamie Dalrymple, one of England's few successes in the one-day debacle against Sri Lanka.

Instead, Monty Panesar is the lone specialist slow bowler in the squad, despite continuing fears over his fielding ability.

Graveney, meanwhile, gave his full support to wicket-keeper Geraint Jones, who kept his place despite rival Chris Read's century for England A against Pakistan at Canterbury.

"We have selected Geraint Jones because we believe he is the best wicket-keeper. What he brings to the team is what we want at the present time.

But he added: "Chris has done really well. It has been said he does not get enough runs, but since he was left out of the team he averages 50 in the first-class game."