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Abu Dhabi: Alastair Cook anchored England's innings with a brilliant 168 not out to take his team to 290 for three at close on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Cook hit his 28th Test century as England are 233 shy of Pakistan's first innings total of 523 for eight declared at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Joe Root was the other unbeaten batsman on three.
Moeen Ali (35), Ian Bell (63) and nightwatchman Mark Wood (four) were the batsmen out.
Pakistan paceman Wahab Riaz took two for 79.
With two days remaining and 17 wickets still potentially to fall, a draw looks the probable outcome, although Wahab Riaz's removal of Bell (63) and Mark Wood (4) in successive overs near the close again put the hosts in the ascendancy.
England begun the morning on 56-0, with Cook and Moeen Ali -- England's seventh opening pair since the retirement of Andrew Strauss in 2012 -- in obdurate mood.
A maiden first over was followed by 26 runs in the following six as Pakistan's twin attack of spinner Zulfiqar Babar and paceman Wahab found little joy.
Another quick, Imran Khan, gave Pakistan a morning breakthrough, dismissing Moeen for 35 as an outside edge carried to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed to reduce England to 116-1.
Cook, unbeaten on 168, and Bell (63) dug in, albeit at a soporific run rate, with England adding just 17 to the scoreboard in the final 14 overs before lunch.
Brief scores
Pakistan - 523 for 8 dec (Shoaib 245, Shafiq 107, Stokes 4-57)
England - 290 for 3 (Cook 168*, Bell 63)
Status - England trial by 233 runs
