England consider Samit Patel as third spinner for second Test against Pakistan in Dubai

Alastair Cook admits England could pick three spinners for the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai, which begins on Thursday morning.

That would see Samit Patel join Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali in a team denied a dramatic victory in the first Test in Abu Dhabi by bad light, which brought an end to play with England needing just 25 runs to win.

"It would have to be a really dry wicket to do it, but we said at the start of the tour that this squad has the option of doing that and it doesn't really affect the balance of the side because all three spinners bat very well," said the England captain. 

"Ben Stokes' bowling ability with his batting at six gives us balance whichever combination we use. We're very lucky with this squad."

Cook expects the Dubai pitch to produce a better match after both teams posted huge first-innings scores in Abu Dhabi.

Ben Stokes' bowling ability with his batting at six gives us balance whichever combination we use. We're very lucky with this squad.

"It will turn more and a bit quicker than Abu Dhabi," he added. "Last time we were here, there was a bit more for the seamers early on. 

"It's a unique stadium here - the shadow over the ground is still there or close to still being there at 10am - and that allows a little more dampness in the wicket overnight, so there is a little bit more movement early on. I think it should be a better cricket wicket."

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Cook was one of the batsmen to cash in during the first Test as he set a new England record for time at the crease in a single innings - batting for 831 minutes for his 263 - and he reiterated the need for England's top six to capitalise once they are settled in the middle.

"In these conditions, if you get in, especially in the first innings, you have to go big. Shoaib Malik was the prime example for Pakistan in the first Test; he really set the series up for them by getting a big score. 

"If one of our top six or seven gets in, you have to go big to set up the game because you can see how quickly the game can turn later on."

Cook, who lost Steven Finn to injury before the first Test, does not expect to make changes to England's pace attack, with Mark Wood likely to keep his place despite concerns over his workload.

"Steven was desperately unlucky," he said. "He was our outstanding bowler in the warm-up game and he had a very good chance of playing in that first Test. We've had to adjust. 

"The bowlers didn't do a huge amount of bowling after that first innings. They had two-and-a-half days with their feet up and and then bowled 60-odd overs on that last day.

"All the bowlers are fresh. We've had two days off and two days training and I expect to pick from a full-strength squad."

Watch live coverage of the second Test between Pakistan and England live on Sky Sports 2 from 6.30am on Thursday.