Captain Andrew Strauss says England are feeling "refreshed" ahead of their three-Test series against Pakistan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
England are playing in their first Test series since they beat India 4-0 last August to go top of the world rankings.
"We're very aware that this tour against Pakistan is going to be a very strong challenge for us," said Strauss before boarding the plane to the UAE.
"[But] we're all pretty refreshed and excited and ready to go."
Pakistan are playing their home games in the United Arab Emirates because of security concerns in their homeland.
Strauss reiterated that cricket must move on from the spot-fixing trial where three players, ex-captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, were given prison sentences for conspiring to bowl deliberate no-balls during the Lord's Test in 2010.
"The spot-fixing stuff is something we're desperately keen to move on from," added Strauss. "It's time to just concentrate on cricket.
"If anyone has an idea that the series won't be competitive, that's well off the mark. Pakistan have been playing a lot of good cricket.
"I'm excited to be playing in what will be fairly alien conditions. It's a good challenge for us and plenty for us to worry about."
Strauss's men have won their last six Test series, beating Bangladesh twice, Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka and India, with their last series defeat coming against the West Indies in February 2009.
Pakistan, meanwhile, have been on an equally strong run of form. Led by captain Misbah-ul-Haq, they won series against New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as well as drawing a series with West Indies in 2011.
The last time the two sides met, England beat Pakistan 3-1 with victories at Nottingham, The Oval and Lord's.
PAKISTAN V ENGLAND 2012
17 Jan: First Test, Dubai
25 Jan: Second Test, Abu Dhabi
3 Feb: Third Test, Dubai
13 Feb: First ODI, Abu Dhabi
15 Feb: Second ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Feb: Third ODI, Dubai
21 Feb: Fourth ODI, Dubai
23 Feb: First T20, Dubai
25 Feb: Second T20, Dubai
27 Feb: Third T20, Abu Dhabi