Monty Panesar has backed the England batsmen to find their form ahead of the third Test against Pakistan and finish the series on a positive note (Pakistan 7/4, England 15/8, draw 7/4 Match Prices).

Andrew Strauss’s side went into the second Test in Abu Dhabi looking for a big improvement, having failed to make 200 in either innings in Dubai, but they were blown away for just 72 in the second innings to hand Pakistan a 72-run victory.

Things looked good in the first innings as Jonathan Trott and Alastair Cook looked to have mastered the spin threat of Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman with a partnership of 139, but, Stuart Broad aside, nobody else made any significant contribution with the bat first time around.

And it was just a tale of woe in the second innings with Strauss and Matt Prior making 50 of the 72 runs, as the rest of the side were like rabbits caught in headlights when trying to play the spinners.

England’s top six have scored runs for fun over the past 18 months as they have ascended to the top of the world rankings but they have still to work out how to play against spin in sub-continental conditions.

However Panesar, who took six wickets in Pakistan?s second innings, believes they have not become bad players overnight and made it clear that they will all be up for the challenge of trying to win the final Test and come out of the series with some credit (Panesar 9/4 Top Eng Bowler 1st Inns).

“The England batters have done exceptionally well over the last 18 months,” he said. “They’ve batted well against all types of bowlers.

“They’re determined, and I’m very much confident that as a team we will work really hard in the next few days to get the result that we want in the third Test.”