Rashid tipped for the top by Swann

Swann's fine form in the last 18 months has made his position as first-choice slow bowler an unassailable one for the time being, but Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid is viewed as an important player for the future.

Rashid played in the last World Twenty20 and has toured with the Test team but is with the Lions as he attempts to continue his progression.

James Tredwell, who joins England on the subsequent Test and one-day tour of Bangladesh, is another expected to feature for the shadow side when they meet Andy Flower's senior XI in an intriguing match in Abu Dhabi today.

Swann says: "Adil's got bags of talent and he's still a young lad. You don't really develop as a spinner until you've played a lot of cricket and the more cricket Adil can get under his belt, the better he can be.

"I've no doubt he can be a world-class bowler one day, it's just about getting the cricket under his belt.

"He's still an exceptional cricketer now, he just needs to play a bit more cricket and get to know his own action that bit better."

Rashid, however, was the Lions' most expensive bowler, taking 1-35 off four overs as they slipped to a four-wicket defeat to Pakistan A in their Twenty20 match in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Craig Kieswetter cracked 50 off 32 balls, including five fours and three sixes, as England made 146-4, captain Andrew Gale of Yorkshire making an unbeaten 36.

Pakistan A reached 149-6 with one ball to spare at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium to deny the Lions a series whitewash, pace bowler Steve Kirby taking 3-33.