Every series brings with it its own set of interesting elements and this series is no different. There are quite a number of intriguing sub-plots when Pakistan and England square off in the first day-nighter in the wintery desert.

Both sides are in the midst of a transition as they go into a four-year cycle towards the next World Cup in England.

Azhar Ali who is finding his feet in captaining Pakistan after being installed following a two-year absence in the format is dreaming of a fourth series victory on the bounce.

And as Azhar dreams Younis Khan is dreaming too. The veteran recalled for the umpteenth time has said he wants to end his ODI career on a high. So this may well turn out to be a farewell series for the Pathan.

While Azhar and Younis indulge in their reverie Azhar's opposite number Eoin Morgan has overcome concussions and blurred vision to visualise an upward rise for a brave new England.

After maintaining their UAE stronghold when it comes to Tests Pakistan are recalibrating their focus on correcting an average showing in the shorter format.

Azhar Ali is hoping he can emulate senior statesman Misbah-ul-Haq's Test prowess in the ODIs and is also eager to see his young men replicate the Test performance over the course of these four ODIs.

After a chastening baptism as captain against Bangladesh where they lost their first series against their neighbours Pakistan have done relatively well under the 30-year-old Azhar.

They warmed up with a 3-0 victory over a Zimbabwean side which became the first team to tour Pakistan after the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team.

They then toured the Emerald Isle of Sri Lanka and edged out their hosts 3-2 before beating Zimbabwe 2-1 away.

Younis' return will add that bit of solidity to a batting order probably short on experience.

As in the Test series spin will play a massive role on these surfaces and Pakistan are armed with a battalion to choose from.

Meanwhile England have gone some lengths to improve their new-found batting bravado by employing a baseball expert.

Former England coach Andy Flower now the England's director of coaches brought Julian Wood a former Hampshire player into the set up.

Wood who helped Major League baseball team Texas Rangers and has also worked with the England Lions at the National Performance Centre in Loughborough has been imparting knowledge on the squad on how best to use the piece of wood. England are eager to walk the talk and aren't looking at any kind of divine intervention. As one journalist told Morgan that there is a slight chance of rain the England captain quipped: "They're lying. I haven't seen a cloud in 10 days. I'm not keeping an eye on the weather forecast."

England bested Pakistan 4-0 the last time the two teams squared off in an ODI series three years ago. But Morgan wasn't reading too much into that. "I don't think it will have a great impact. The last time we were here we did become better cricketers by the end of the tour particularly our batters playing against spin was a huge challenge. I think that will remain the same but the team we have here is completely different to the team we had then. It's a matter of learning throughout the series and posing enough questions to put pressure on Pakistan" said Morgan.

As England try to make amends for their Test debacle Pakistan are looking to end a 15-year wait. The last time Pakistan beat England in an ODI series was in 2005 when they won 3-2 at home.