Azhar Ali’s career-best of 157 helped Pakistan set up a challenging target of 324 runs for England to win the third and final cricket Test at Dubai.
At stumps on the third day the English were none for 36 with two days remaining.
Ali’s 157 spanned close to nine hours off 442 balls and proved to be the backbone of Pakistan’s second innings total of 365 as leftarm spinner Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann claimed the last seven wickets for just 34 runs.
Panesar finished with 5-124 and Swann 3-101.
England scored 141 in their first innings after bowling out Pakistan for 99.
England’s best ever successful fourth innings chase total came in 1928, reaching 332 to beat Australia by three wickets at Melbourne.