Karachi: Pakistan's cricket board said on Saturday the umpiring Decision Review System (DRS) will be used in the three-Test series against England in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman Nadeem Sarwar told AFP sponsorship had already been secured for the DRS for the one-day series against England.

"Now it has been extended to the Tests against England as well," Sarwar said.

Ball-tracking technology provided by HawkEye will be used during the series, Sarwar said, but there will be no Hot Spot thermal imaging, which has been employed in some series to judge fine nicks.

Sarwar said the PCB backed the use of technology to assist umpires with close and disputed calls.

"PCB has supported the use of DRS and we believe that it will add value to the Test series," said Sarwar of the system under which teams are allowed two unsuccessful challenges per innings to decisions made by the on-field umpires.

The first Test starts in Dubai from January 17. The second Test will be played in Abu Dhabi (January 25-29) and the third in Dubai (February 3-7).

The teams will also play four one-day internationals and three Twenty20s.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) first used the DRS on an experimental basis in 2008.

The system was made mandatory in June this year but three months later the use of DRS was left to the competing countries, subject to agreements between the participating boards.

The powerful Indian board has been the most vocal against the use of DRS, saying the system has flaws.