Alastair Cook: 'Moeen Ali could open against Pakistan'

England captain Alastair Cook has revealed that Moeen Ali is a candidate to open the batting in the series with Pakistan.

Alex Hales looks to be leading the race to partner Cook at the top of the order in the three-match series in the UAE, but coach Trevor Bayliss previously suggested that Ali could be promoted.

Cook has echoed those comments, despite claiming that the all-rounder is unlikely to be his full-time partner.

"It might be a short-term option and that Mo opens in this series but not in South Africa," the England skipper told reporters.

"But Alex could always take his chance in a warm-up game and we go that way, so we do have options."

The first Test against Pakistan gets underway in Abu Dhabi on October 13.