Former England bowler Bob Willis has stated that he agrees with the selection of Alex Hales for the forthcoming Test series with Pakistan.

The Nottinghamshire batsman has been included in the 16-man squad that will tour the United Arab Emirates next month, and he could open the batting alongside captain Alastair Cook after Adam Lyth was left out following a poor showing in the Ashes.

Moeen Ali has been tipped to open, but Willis has said that, with a series against South Africa to come later this winter, calling up Hales to the side is a good move from the selectors.

"I think it's important that, as a foil to Cook, you have someone who will go down the track to the spinners and has the technique to fend off seam bowlers," he told Sky Sports News.

"But what's also in the selectors' mind is Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander in South Africa from Boxing Day and whether Moeen has the technique to stand up to them, so I think Hales and Cook will start in the UAE."

The first Test of the three-match series begins in Abu Dhabi on October 13.