In his latest CricInfo Diary entry, Alec Stewart looks ahead to the prospect of captaining England in the second and final Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford, and in the triangular one-day series which follows.

I didn't have any doubts about taking on the England captaincy for the NatWest One-Day Series against Pakistan and Australia. I've done it on a number of occasions – the fact that I turned it down in Sri Lanka at the end of the Test series was purely because of the heat, the humidity and the conditions. I just didn't feel I'd be able to do all three jobs to the right standard. In this country and most parts of the world there's no problem. As to leading the side in the Second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford, we've come away from a good win at Lord's – I also captained the side that won at Lord's last year. I'm fully aware that it's a one-off game for me, and I'll be doing my best to perform well with the bat and the gloves, and anything I can add as captain.

I didn't have any say on team selection. Nick Knight's started the season very, very well – I remember batting with him for a length of time when he scored a hundred against Pakistan at Headingley four or five years ago. That was his first Test hundred, and I know he'll be looking to make full use of his opportunity. We know Nasser Hussain will be back soon, but if Knight can score heavily in this game and have a good one-day series, that's obviously a good way to stake a claim for a place in the Ashes series. At this stage we expect to play seven batsmen, so he can expect to play.

As to my own form, I copped a first ball in the B & H, which can happen, but obviously very happy to have scored a hundred in the CricInfo Championship game in between the Test Matches. It's always nice to spend some time in the middle, and I feel I've been hitting the ball well all season.

We can't lose the series against Pakistan, but any games we go into we try to win. This one will be no different. We know that they're a good side and will bounce back, and I suggest that if there's one ground in England that they could choose to play us on it would be Old Trafford – there's always been reverse swing there in the past, which they enjoy; the wicket can turn, and they've got quality spinners, and there'll be strong Pakistani support in the area. It's been a terrible start to the summer at Old Trafford – Lancashire have just had one one-day game there so far, against Glamorgan. But Pakistan will be looking to make it one all there. We'll be going for two nil at best, or at worst draw the game and win the series.

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