WORCESTERSHIRE ace Moeen Ali is being backed to be England’s star-turn in the forthcoming series with Pakistan — but only if he forgets his batting and concentrates on his bowling, according to former Test opener Mark Butcher.

Though England were triumphant in the Ashes this summer there are clearly still weaknesses within the side, one of which is who should partner captain Alastair Cook at the top of the order.

Among the options not to have tried and failed in the Test arena is Moeen, who regularly bats at number three for England in Twenty20 encounters.

But, with spin likely to be a big weapon against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, Butcher believes Moeen — who has scored one halfcentury in his last seven Test innings — must forget any ambitions he has to climb the order and concentrate on being England’s talisman with the ball.

Butcher said: “People have talked about Moeen Ali opening the batting, but I don’t really see that as being an option.

“Not because Moeen couldn’t do it but because in the UAE, in sub-continental conditions, his main job for the team is to be number one spinner.

“It’s very difficult for somebody who hasn’t perhaps nailed down that side of his game, to then be asked to go and open the batting as well in what are not going to be benign conditions for batsmen in the UAE.

“Pakistan have got some quick bowlers, some leftarmers of their own who can swing it and bowl at 90mph, so having someone solely concentrating on opening the batting would probably be a good idea.”

England’s last trip to the UAE saw them lose all three Tests comprehensively to Pakistan, the lowlight being skittled for 72 in the second innings of the second match to confirm defeat in the series.

Butcher believes England must brace themselves for another difficult three-Test series in the Arabian Peninsula. He added: “It’s going to be very tough for England in the UAE.

“Last time we played Pakistan, we lost 3-0 and we were a very good side, we’d just gone to number one in the world.

“This team has a little bit to go until then, so it’s going to be very tough. But they surprised us in the Ashes, and who knows, they could do it again.