No need for panic, says England coach

Coach Duncan Fletcher refused to show any sign of concern over England's form for the first Test against Pakistan after they crashed to an embarrassing defeat against Pakistan A.

England lost the three-day tour match by six wickets but Fletcher said: "It is not a big deal, we are a side starting out on a difficult tour.

"It has happened before to us and I am confident the players will lift themselves for the Tests."

However, England could be without injured captain Michael Vaughan for the series opener which starts in Multan on Saturday, Vaughan having twisted his right knee on the second day in Lahore.

Fletcher pointed out that earlier this year England lost to an A team in South Africa before going on to win the test series in comfortable fashion.

"What happened here is somewhat similar to what happened in South Africa," he said. "But we went out and played very good cricket.

"We have the quality players who can do it again and they realise how important Test cricket is and they will play the cricket they are capable of."

England have struggled with their batting in the first tour matches in Pakistan.

Disappointing batting

Although they won the opening three-dayer in Rawalpindi, they produced disappointing totals of 256 for nine and 112. In the second match, they were bowled out for 126 and 256.

Opener Marcus Trescothick is the only batsman to have reached three figures on tour, scoring 124 on the first day in Pindi.

Middle order batsman Kevin Pietersen, who played a major role in England's Ashes series triumph earlier this year, has been a notable failure in Pakistan with just 16 runs in four innings.

Fletcher, however, played down any panic over England's batting.

"We are fine at the moment and we will be ready for the Test," he said.

Pakistan A captain Hasan Raza, who scored a match-winning 71 on Tuesday, believes England will struggle in the Tests.

"I would think Pakistan can beat them and our main players would get a boost from this result," he said.