In order to be the best you have to beat the best and Pakistan have certainly done the latter by brushing England aside thus far. They're now aiming for a whitewash as the series comes full circle to Dubai, where it all began.

Misbah-ul-Haq has not lost a Test series since taking over as captain in October 2010 and is now on the verge of a clean sweep over an England side whose batting confidence is shot after being spun out for 72 in the second Test in Abu Dhabi. All this under an interim coach in the form of Mohsin Khan, who now believes his Pakistan team is capable of becoming the top-ranked Test team - under his guidance, he has now suggested.

Aside from the spinners bagging the majority of the wickets, very little else has gone according to script. Batsmen were expected to notch up big runs and occupy the crease for days on flat pitches, which were tipped to serve out high-scoring draws. However, no batsman has reached three figures in the series yet and England have not played like they're the world's best team.

Pakistan have never completed a series whitewash over their English opponents and, while they have picked up the two wins, they have not been easy and neither will a third.

One could argue that Pakistan's spinners dug them out of a hole in Abu Dhabi, with England unable to pip a modest 145-run target. Pakistan only managed 257 and 214 in the two innings at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, but there were encouraging signs from number six Asad Shafiq, who scored 101 runs in the match. However, Azhar Ali, Taufeeq Umar and Younis Khan have all underperformed thus far and are yet to reach 100 runs for the series.

Shafiq was under pressure from Umar Akmal for his place in the side, but after coming good in the second Test, Akmal could again be carrying drinks for his team-mates.

Pakistan will, however, be tempted to bring Wahab Riaz into the side after Junaid Khan bowled just eight overs in the first innings in Abu Dhabi before becoming a mere spectator in the second innings. Riaz's ability to create reverse swing might prove a useful addition to the attack should the English find a way of countering the spin trio of Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez.

The wounded English, meanwhile, will be desperate to avoid the sweep as they run the risk of then losing their number-one status, but there is still no need for panicky changes as this is the majority of the team which got them to the summit of the ICC rankings table.

After scoring just 41 runs in four innings, Eoin Morgan has Ravi Bopara breathing down his neck, but the selectors are likely to keep faith with the left-hander. He is seen as the long-term occupant of the number-six spot.

Kevin Pietersen is also searching for run,s having scratched together a paltry 17 in four innings, but he is not a player who lacks confidence in the middle and a big score is likely soon. Ian Bell's record is equally dismal, with 36 runs in the series. Bell suffered a stomach bug earlier in the week, but has since been confirmed fit for the Test.

The mood is better in the bowling department, with Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad performing amicably, while Monty Panesar's six for 62 in Abu Dhabi should be enough to keep him in the side. England won't go back to Dubai with only one spinner as they did in the first Test.

Key Men
Pakistan: Of the 40 English wickets that have fallen in this series, 34 of them have been to spinners. England's batsmen would have had a lot of homework to do since Abu Dhabi and their ability to play Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman could be the difference between losing and winning.

England: He has been captaining a winning side for years, but Andrew Strauss now has a different job on his hands to lift the spirits of a losing side on tour. With England's batting so short on runs it's up to him to lead from the front and show his team-mates how to handle the Pakistan bowling.

Last Five Head-To-Head Results
January 2012: Second Test: Pakistan won by 72 runs in Abu Dhabi
January 2012: First Test: Pakistan won by 10 wickets at Dubai
August 2010: Fourth Test: England won by an innings and 225 runs at Lord's
August 2010: Third Test: Pakistan won by four wickets at the Kennington Oval
August 2010: England won by nine wickets at Edgbaston

Prediction
Two Tests played and two defeats for the visitors, who return to where it all began in Dubai. A repeat of their first-morning collapse that left them reeling at 43 for five is unlikely to occur and, with the experience in this England side, they should be able to at least claim the upper hand in a draw, if not sneak the consolation victory.

Online betting firm Sky Bet has Pakistan at 13/8 in the betting for victory in the third Test. Visit Sky Bet for the latest cricket betting.

Probable Teams
Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar. Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal (wicketkeeper), Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz.

England: Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Monty Panesar.

Dates: 3-7 February
Morning session: 10:00 - 12:00 (06:00 - 8:00 GMT)
Afternoon session: 12:40- 14:40 (8:40 - 10:40 GMT)
Evening session: 15:00 - 17:00 (11:00 - 13:00 GMT)

On-field umpires: Simon Taufel and Steve Davis
Third umpire: Shahvir Tarapore
Match referee: Jeff Crowe