After coming from behind to beat West Indies in the Wisden Trophy, England face another three-match Test series, this time against Pakistan.
The first Test takes places at Old Trafford and starts on Wednesday, with Joe Root’s side having failed to beat the visitors in the longest format since 2010.
But what sort of threat will Misbah ul-Haq’s side bring with bat and ball? Sportsmail’s Richard Gibson runs you through the tourists’ squad.
Misbah ul-Haq’s Pakistan side will play England in a three Test-match series from Wednesday
Batsmen
Azhar Ali (captain, top-order batsman)
Stands fifth on Pakistan’s list of Test centurions with 16 and is a greatly respected cricketer, not least by those who have shared a Somerset dressing room with him. The rock of the tourists’ batting and its veteran at 35, he will be key to their chances of posting the kind of scores to put England under pressure.
Abid Ali (opening batsman)
Rewarded for plugging away in domestic cricket with a debut at the age of 32 last December. Struck hundreds in successive Tests versus Sri Lanka as Test cricket returned to Pakistan for the first time since 2009.
Imam-ul-Haq (opening batsman)
Pakistan’s Shai Hope. Seven one-day international hundreds and an average of 53.84 from the nephew of Inzamam is bettered by only three players in history, a record incongruous with his struggles in the Test arena where his numbers have hovered in the mid-20s. Here as back-up opener.
Azhar Ali is Pakistan’s Test captain and has huge respect from within the dressing room
Shan Masood (opening batsman)
In and out of the team for the past seven years but is making the most of his latest stint in the XI: of his three career hundreds, two came in his last two appearances. However, his nemesis awaits. James Anderson has dismissed the left-hander in all six of his Test innings against England.
Babar Azam (middle-order batsman)
Abundantly talented stroke-player who appears to have shed his one-day specialist tag since Misbah assumed the reins. Averages in excess of 100 in his last five Tests, a period which includes an away series in Australia. Extremely easy on the eye.
Asad Shafiq (middle-order batsman)
Organised and compact batsman who has proved a thorn in England’s side in the past — this will be his fifth series against them. Places a high price on his wicket. Now approaching his mid-30s, he emerged from the Karachi tape-ball competition to forge a successful first-class and international career.
Fawad Alam (batsman)
Compared, unflatteringly, to Mark Ramprakash by former national selector Inzamam-ul-Haq for a failure to take his chance at international level, Fawad is in line for a recall at No 6 after 11 years away. Like Ramprakash, he has dominated domestically, averaging an eye-watering 56.78 in first-class cricket.
Babar Azam is extremely easy on the eye and has an abundance of talent with bat in hand
Wicketkeepers
Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper-batsman)
Long-term understudy to Sarfaraz, he has come to prominence in the past 12 months following a sustained period of good form with Pakistan A. Technically-sound gloveman and a batsman with the versatility to play the situation at No 7.
Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper)
Holds fond memories of cricket in the UK, having led Pakistan to Champions Trophy glory here three years ago. No longer a first-choice pick in the Test team, however, having been axed as captain and dropped from the squad on the eve of his 50th cap last autumn.
Sarfraz Ahmed led Pakistan to Champions Trophy victory against India at The Oval in 2017
Bowlers
Naseem Shah (fast bowler)
Pakistan’s latest fast-bowling find, unearthed from a village in the foothills of the Himalayas. Aged just 16 when he was handed a Test debut in Brisbane last November, and just days after the death of his mother, he has since become the youngest bowler in Test history to take a hat-trick. Capable of 90mph spells and skilful to boot.
Shaheen Afridi (fast bowler)
No relation to Shahid Afridi, although his elder brother Riaz was a predecessor as an international bowler. An established member of the Pakistan squad across three formats despite being just 20. Standing at 6ft 6in, his stock delivery into the ribs of the right-hander from over the wicket will pose a different challenge for Dom Sibley.
Usman Shinwari (fast bowler)
Another left-armer whose route to the Test team came through long-term recognition as a limited-overs specialist. Back injuries have dogged the 26-year-old in the past. British television audiences will recognise him from a couple of seasons at Australia’s Big Bash League.
Naseem Shah has become the youngest bowler in Test match history to take a hat-trick
Sohail Khan (swing bowler)
Something of an English conditions specialist, who will sit in reserve to Abbas. Claimed two five-wicket hauls in the drawn series here four years ago and at the age of 36 is coming to the end of an international career of just nine matches.
Mohammad Abbas (seamer)
Highly-skilled seam bowler with an old-fashioned principle of making the batsman play. Ransacked England’s batting at Lord’s two years ago to lead the Pakistanis to a stunning first-Test win. Plenty of experience in English conditions courtesy of one and a half seasons with Leicestershire.
Yasir Shah (leg-spinner)
Pakistan hope the British air will reinvigorate Yasir, whose performances here on his last tour were integral to the tourists’ twin wins in the capital. He took 10 wickets at Lord’s and another five at the Kia Oval but has struggled for breakthroughs on recent overseas assignments, taking five in four matches versus South Africa and Australia.
Shadab Khan (leg-spinner)
A fine all-round cricketer and arguably Pakistan’s best fielder. However, he is primarily with this squad as deputy to fellow leggie Yasir Shah and may have to settle for a place on the bench until the Twenty20 series begins later this month.
Yasir Shah’s performances on his last tour were integral to the tourists’ wins in London
Misbah-ul-Haq (coach)
Oversaw a 3-0 clean sweep of England back in 2012 and won many admirers for the way he led Pakistan during the 2-2 draw here in 2016. Now orchestrates things from off the field after signing a three-year deal for the dual role of head coach and national selector 10 months ago.