Pakistan are especially strong at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium, venue for the first Test of three which starts on Tuesday.
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The second apply recreation is the final alternative for England earlier than the primary Test from October 13.
But both had keen and vested interest from close quarters in the pavilion.
“We’re very realistic”, he said.
The first Test begins in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
“That obviously made a big impact for the rest of the day”.
England must ensure such collapses do not recur, as they did in 2012.
“We have changed things round, we have different personnel to what we had back then”.
The 33-year-old, who missed the final two Tests in England’s 3-2 Ashes triumph back home two months ago with a side strain, said he was ready for a tough series.
“We’re definitely confident within the dressing room”. “It was frustrating to miss the last couple of Tests of the summer but I’ve played a bit for Lancashire (county) which was good and since being out here all of us have acclimatised quite quickly and are raring to go”.
“It’s always a challenge whenever you play Pakistan; the trial by spin will be tough”, said Cook.
“But they’ve got other quality players who’ve got plenty of runs out here. So there’s other players we’ve got to watch out for”.
It is not yet clear who will be taking the field in several key positions.
All-rounder Moeen Ali, a handy off-spinner and regular at No.8, seems likely to become Cook’s seventh opening partner since Andrew Strauss’s retirement in 2012 as the tourists try to instil greater resolve at the top of the order.
Root, however, gave the incumbent wicketkeeper a ringing endorsement – identifiying him as one of the driving forces of England’s future.
Stuart Broad and James Anderson have been seasoned performers with the new ball while Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan of Pakistan lack experience at Test level – even though their talent is never is doubt.
“I’m sure he’ll be very pleased with the way he played, and can take that forward into the Test match”.
Finn added: “I think a proper match would be ideal”.
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The absence of the 30-year-old will come as a huge blow for Waqar Younis’ side as he has been one of the most consistent performers for the team since making his debut in the longest format of the game against Australia in 2010. I have seen this in county cricket where local players find it hard to bat the moment there is turn for the spinners. The teams will also play four one-dayers and two Twenty20 internationals.
