England captain Andrew Strauss insists the spot-fixing scandal which marred the last Test series with Pakistan is "water under the bridge" and he now hopes relations between the two nations can be improved during the upcoming tour of the United Arab Emirates.

Strauss and his players departed for the Middle East on Monday and will renew acquaintances with Pakistan for the first time since former captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were handed jail sentences for their part in the scandal which rocked cricket.

And opting to look forward rather than back, Strauss is keen to move on from past problems when England contest a three-Test series, a four-match one-day series and three Twenty20 fixtures against Pakistan from January 17-February 27.

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He told Sky Sports News HD: "We all recognise that it's time to move on from the spot-fixing trial. They are playing a lot of good cricket and that's going to be the challenge for us to try and overcome them on the field in those conditions.

"What has happened before, as far as I'm concerned is water under the bridge and I hope that both sides can go on and play cricket in the right spirit and we can produce a very entertaining and exciting Test series.

"What's happened before, as far as I'm concerned is water under the bridge and I hope that both sides can go on and play cricket in the right spirit and we can produce a very entertaining and exciting Test series."
Andrew Strauss Quotes of the week

Challenge

"I think there is a perception that there are always issues between Pakistan and England and we should see that as an opportunity to eradicate that perception.

"There is no reason why that should be the case and, as I said, if we both approach it in the right spirit then it should be good for the relations between both teams and world cricket."

Three players strongly linked with previous involvement in spot-fixing - Wahab Riaz and Kamran Akmal - have been recalled to the Pakistan squad ahead of the Test series.

Asked whether this would be an issue for Strauss and his players, the England captain replied: "It's there obligation and duty to pick the best they think is available to them.

"I think the spot-fixing stuff is something we are desperately keen to move on from. No good can come from churning it all up again and it's time to concentrate on the cricket and we'll play which ever XI selected."

England have won eight of their last nine Test series home and away but will face a tough challenge against a Pakistan side who themselves are enjoying a rich vein of form.

Captain Misbah Ul-Haq boasts a fine record as Test skipper, claiming six wins, six draws and suffering only one loss in his 13 matches in charge.

And Strauss admits: "It's going to be a very competitive series and hopefully for the right reasons.

"I'm certainly excited about playing in what are going to be fairly alien conditions to what we are used to and that is going to be a good challenge against some good cricketers and that is plenty to worry about without thinking of anything else."