Moeen backed to open against Pakistan

England coach Trevor Bayliss says Moeen Ali has a "good chance" of opening the batting in the first Test against Pakistan on Tuesday, despite being dismissed twice in one day during England’s final warm-up match.

Moeen has scored 41 runs in three innings during England’s two tour games, while the other contender to partner Cook at the top of the order, Alex Hales, scored nine in his only knock.

Having bowled on day one of the two-day warm-up in Sharjah, England used Friday’s second day for batting practice.

Relaxed rules – which allowed batsmen multiple knocks in the same innings – saw England send Moeen in twice in a bid to give him extra time in the middle.

But it was to no avail as Moeen, dismissed for eight in the morning, was trapped lbw for 12 in the afternoon.

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Despite the disappointing warm-up, England coach Trevor Bayliss backed Moeen as the answer to England’s opening conundrum.

"I think at this stage Mo has probably got his nose in front," Bayliss said.

"It’s probably not ideal. We’ve got Alex Hales here who we know can be an explosive batter. But I think Mo has shown he’s a good player against spin, he can play the pace bowling and he’s handled the pressure during that Ashes series.

"Mo is a good enough player that he could actually be the answer. Yes, it’s not perfect, we know that, but Mo’s the type of player who could very well turn himself into that other opener."

Spinning allrounder Moeen is favoured as opener as he would allow England to play a second spinner in Adil Rashid in the UAE.

He has also opened for England in one-day internationals, despite generally batting at number eight in Tests.

"Some guys are good under pressure and someone like Moeen has shown he's got what it takes," Bayliss said.

One batsman to shine was James Taylor, who did his hopes of breaking into the Test XI no harm with 61, while Bayliss said he could not guarantee wicketkeeper Jos Buttler had done enough to keep his place.

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James Taylor impressed // Getty Images

Buttler, who averaged 15 during the Ashes, scored one in the opening warm-up match on Monday.

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On Friday, he was dismissed for eight, then returned to reach stumps unbeaten on 31.

"To be honest, I can’t confirm (Buttler’s place),” Bayliss said.

"His form has been a concern and for him as well.

"But it was good to see him out there looking like he was getting his touch back this afternoon and scoring some runs. But we’ve got to make a decision."

If Buttler does not play, Jonny Bairstow would take the gloves, having scored an unbeaten 66 in the opening warm-up game.

Should Bairstow play in Buttler’s place, it could allow England to play both him and Taylor in the same XI.

"Playing them both is a possibility, definitely. Nothing’s off the table just yet," Bayliss said.