It was always known that spin would be a key factor in this series, but after capitulating in the first Test, England now have the chance to show they've learned from their mistakes and prove they really are the world's best when they take on Pakistan at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Of the 20 England wickets to fall in Dubai, 15 fell to spin. That's hardly a surprise given where the series is being played, but the fact that Matt Prior was the only England batsman to pass 50 is the real surprise when all of Ian Bell, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen are ranked inside the world's top 10.

It won't be as easy for Pakistan a second time around and they should expect the wounded Lions to attack despite critics suggesting they cannot win away from home. Prior has indicated the loss was the "slap in the face" that England needed to avoid becoming complacent as the top-ranked Test team, while the rest of the squad is very confident of a turnaround.

However, after such a huge failure there will always be questions about individual players.

England's selectors will have some consideration about personnel changes, with Chris Tremlett being ruled doubtful with a back and side strain. Even if he is proved fit in time for the match, his performances in the first Test will put him in the firing line. Steve Finn and Graham Onions would therefore be considered as replacements, but a more likely scenario will see Monty Panesar come into the starting XI as a second spinner, given the success of the Pakistan slow bowlers in the series opener.

In the batting department, the number six position is not as stable as the top five and the selectors could opt to leave out Eoin Morgan for Ravi Bopara, who is considered one of England's better batsmen against spin. There will also be added incentive for the openers to score runs as - all things being equal - Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss will become the first English pair to open together 100 times in Tests.

Pakistan do have the chance to seal a historic series victory this week, but in reality their bowling performance in Dubai may have brushed over the cracks of a potentially fragile middle-order as it was only some intelligent batting with the tail from Adnan Akmal that saw them inch past the 300 mark.

Azhar Ali and Younis Khan will need better application this time around, while skipper Misbah-ul-Haq also needs to push on after going past 50.

Asad Shafiq's failure might open up the chance of a return to the side for Umar Akmal, but the selectors could be lenient on the number six given the fact he only had one opportunity at the crease.

There wouldn't be too much tinkering with the bowlers, but a muscle strain to Aizaz Cheema has put his participation in doubt. Should he fail to recover Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz will battle for the position of new-ball bowler, especially since Mohammad Talha's tour has also been cut short through a back injury.

With Khan enjoying success against Sri Lanka the last time Pakistan played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, he could have the inside track over Riaz and his left-arm quicks will also add extra variation to the Pakistan attack. However, Riaz is a great exponent of reverse swing which could come in very handy with the old ball.

Key Men
Pakistan: The England batsmen failed to read him in the opening Test and a 10-wicket haul in Dubai will again make Saeed Ajmal the major threat with the ball.

England: He showed glimpses of form with the bat in the second innings in the Dubai Test, but now England will be hoping Jonathan Trott can play one of his marathon innings as they try to combat the Pakistan bowlers.

Last Five Head-To-Head Results
January 2012: First Test: Pakistan won by 10 wickets in 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 Oval
August 2010: England won by nine wickets at Edgbaston
July 2010: England won by 354 runs at Trent Bridge

Prediction
Two Tests played and two draws the result suggests the flat pitch will again require huge powers of concentration at the crease, while the spinners continue to toil away. Despite England's batting collapses in Dubai, they should be a much improved outfit this time around where the match should go the distance for a high-scoring draw.

Online betting firm Sky Bet has Pakistan at 9/4 in the betting for victory in the second 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, Junaid Khan.

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: 25-29 January
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: Steve Davis and Bruce Oxenford
Third umpire: Billy Bowden
Match referee: Javagal Srinath

Justin Lawrence