Alex Hales excited to play for England again after missing out in Test series

Alex Hales is looking forward to finally getting some game time as he prepares for England's ODI series against Pakistan.

Hales was in the Test squad for the recent 2-0 series defeat, but failed to displace Moeen Ali at the top of the order and has been restricted to warm-up innings and net practice for the last month.

While Moeen's unconvincing five-day form has opened the door for Hales to open against South Africa later in the winter, the 26-year-old is not thinking that far ahead and is simply excited at the prospect of playing competitive cricket again.

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That begins with Sunday's pre-series match against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi, followed by four ODIs and three Twenty20s.

"I think it's going to be a very good series, and a very tough series, against opposition who are world-class in their own conditions," he said.

"It's going to be a tough challenge, and one we're all looking forward to."

"This is a different format, against very different opposition, to what we'll face in the Test series in South Africa. So I'm not going to look too far ahead to that series.

"Any time you play international cricket is a chance to show how skilful you are and cement your place in the side, and that's something I'm looking to do in this series."

Hales will be set to face Yasir Shah for the first time, having watched the Pakistan leg-spinner tie England in knots more than once during the Test series.

"It's probably going to be similar conditions to what we faced in the Test series, and so their slow bowling will be the main threat.

"But it's also important we don't get too worked up about that - they've still got quality seam attack, and we've got to be on top of both areas."