Both of Pakistan's past two series in England -- 2016 and 2018 -- ended in draws, which should encourage the tourists this time even though they go into the first Test on the back of just a couple of intra-squad warm-up fixtures compared to their 'match-hardened' hosts.
It may be recalled here that India on the aforementioned date had revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and passed legislation to split it into two Union Territories.
Its cool and overcast in Manchester and James Anderson has the new cherry in hand for England.
Former bowling greats like Micheal Holding, Shoaib Akhtar, Shaun Pollack have questioned the ban on Saliva as it will immensely affect the bowling unit and their performance.
Dom Bess will bowl from the other end.
Pakistan will also play Ireland and Netherlands during this tour.