England coach Trevor Bayliss has suggested that Moeen Ali is likely to be handed an opportunity to open the batting in the first Test against Pakistan.

Ali was dismissed twice on the final day of the warm-up match with Pakistan A on Friday as he aimed to prove that he is the right man to open alongside Alastair Cook, but it appears that the all-rounder is winning his selection battle with Alex Hales.

"Some guys are good under pressure and someone like Moeen has shown he's got what it takes," Bayliss told reporters when quizzed about whether he was leaning towards Ali or Hales as Cook's partner.

"I'm not sure it would be a gamble. Yes we would like an out-and-out opener putting his hand up, but there doesn't seem to be a stand-out."

The first Test begins in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Written by
Callum Mulvihill