Moeen Ali looks on in wonder at Alastair Cook’s timing

'We caught Pakistan off guard a bit. They know we’re up for the challenge'

(Getty Images)

Moeen Ali has reflected on his start to life as a Test opener, saying he could never imagine batting as long as Alastair Cook, his captain, and admitting he now has to score runs to justify his place at the top of England’s order.

The Worcestershire all-rounder has moved up from the No 8 position he held during the summer’s Ashes to become Cook’s seventh opening partner since the retirement of Andrew Strauss in 2012.

Despite scoring only 35 and 11 in the drawn first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, Moeen impressed while helping put on a 116-run stand with Cook in England’s first innings.

“It was good, just doing a job for the team, I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I feel like I can play properly, more like a batter again, rather than coming in later and playing a few shots. I’ve got to score some runs, we need an opening batter who will score runs.”

Asked if he has ever batted for 14 hours – Cook finished four minutes shy of that mark during his first-innings 263 in the opening Test – Moeen replied: “It was a great effort, I don’t think I’ll ever bat 14 hours in my life.

“It was just what we needed, a big hundred for us, and it’s great for the series. We know what he’s like when he gets one score under his belt, he rolls them out.”

England’s dramatic near-miss in Abu Dhabi, when they brought a dead Test back to life in the final session and were only denied victory 25 runs shy of their target of 99 by bad light, has given Pakistan a jolt, believes Moeen.

“It’s given us a lot of confidence and probably given Pakistan a bit of a nudge as well that we are here to be serious,” he said. “We probably caught them off guard a bit. I think they are a bit more aware, they know we are here for the challenge and have a good chance of winning the series.”

England will come up against Yasir Shah for the first time in the second Test, which starts in Dubai tomorrow. The leg-spinner has taken 61 wickets in his first 10 Tests, but was ruled out of the series opener with a back spasm. Yasir says he is “99 per cent” certain he will play in Dubai, where he’s hoping to emulate his childhood hero, Shane Warne.

“He was a role model for me as a youngster,” said Yasir. “In the past England have struggled against Warne. That’s in my mind but I have my own plans as well and hopefully they will come off. I’m very much prepared to face England, and hopefully I can do something special.”

Azhar Ali, who has recovered from the foot infection that ruled him out of the first Test, is doubtful after returning home following the death of his mother-in-law.