Dubai, November 25

Former champions Pakistan will face England in a three-match Twenty20 series in Dubai from Thursday as they begin to settle their squads for next year’s World Twenty20.

Pakistan finished runners-up in the first edition of the World T20 in 2007 before winning the crown two years later in England and are now ranked No 2 in the shortest and the most popular format of the game. They need to win the series, at least by a 2-1 margin, to maintain the standings.

Pakistan are likely to get two to three T20 matches if their series against India is held next month before they head to New Zealand for another three matches. Before the sixth edition of the World Twenty20 they will also feature in the Asia Cup to be held in Bangladesh in February.

Pakistan are hampered by the absence of ace spinner Saeed Ajmal, who is struggling with a new bowling action which needed alteration after it was deemed illegal. Besides Ajmal, the highest wicket-taker in all Twenty20 cricket with 85, paceman Umar Gul (joint second highest with 83 wickets) was also not selected as he is recovering from injury.

Opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez is also banned from bowling. But Afridi, who also has 83 wickets, hopes his young team will fight hard.

England, who won the World T20 in 2010, are ranked eighth in the shortest format but coach Trevor Bayliss believes their 3-1 one-day success over Pakistan last week will give the squad good confidence.

Bayliss whose team lost the Test series 2-0, said the series will help his team prepare for the World Twenty20. The remaining two matches will be held in Dubai (Friday) and Sharjah (Monday).