Pakistan win toss, opt to bat at Old Trafford

MANCHESTER, England, July 27 (Reuters) Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat in the second test against England at Old Trafford today with a warm day with scattered showers forecast.

England made one change from the drawn first test, opting for Sajid Mahmood ahead of fellow seamer Jon Lewis. Liam Plunkett, who played at Lord's, withdrew from the squad with a side strain.

Pakistan also made one change, with Younis Khan returning at number three and opener Salman Butt being dropped. Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal moves up to open the innings with Imran Farhat.

England - Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Geraint Jones, Matthew Hoggard, Stephen Harmison, Monty Panesar, Sajid Mahmood.

Pakistan - Imran Farhat, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Faisal Iqbal, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria.

REUTERS DH KN1547