Century-maker Shan Masood and Shadab Khan snatched the initiative for Pakistan from England with a 105-run partnership on day two of the first Test at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Pakistan lost three cheap wickets and scored only 48 runs in the morning session, but Masood and Khan were transformed after the lunch break.
They scored 27 runs in the first five overs after lunch, then England took the second new ball. But the Pakistan pair, especially Khan, was too confident to be confined again.
They were positive and rotated the strike, and the runs flowed as Pakistan added 125 runs in the middle session and reached 312-8 at tea.
Masood was a career-best unbeaten 151 and Khan was out for 45, one of three wickets to fall in the session.
England pacer Jofra Archer had a hat trick ball but Shaheen Afridi handled it.
Masood, on 77 at lunch, was comparatively zippy as he scored 23 runs in 26 balls to achieve his third century in three innings.
The first century by a Pakistan opener in England in 24 years took 251 balls, with 13 fours.
It followed his previous career-best 135 against Sri Lanka in December in Karachi and 100 against Bangladesh in February in Rawalpindi.
The partnership with Khan was aggressive and frustrating England until Khan came down the pitch at spinner Dom Bess, mis-hit and Joe Root took the catch at mid-on.
Archer trapped Yasir Shah on 5 and Mohammad Abbas on the next ball for a duck. Knowing he was running out of partners, Masood attacked and moved to his best Test score with his first six of the innings, sending Bess over midwicket, then smashing him back over his head for another six.
Afridi was with him at tea on 1 not out.
No problem in touring Pak
England head coach Chris Silverwood has “no problem” in touring Pakistan for a short T20 series if it can be managed ahead of the side’s scheduled visit to the sub-continental nation in 2022.
England have avoided touring Pakistan since 2005-06 citing security concerns but of late the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has expressed hope of visiting the country in two years’ time.
“For me it’s great that it’s a topic of conversation again. We are looking to get back there,” Silverwood told Sky Sports on the opening day of the first Test.
“Personally, I’d have no problem going,” he said.
Silverwood hinted that things are on course for a reciprocal tour, saying England batsmen are raring to have a go at the placid wickets in Pakistan.
“I’ve never been so it would be nice to go and have a look. And I know our batsmen are looking forward to batting on their wickets. We are getting there (in terms of planning),” he said.
Silverwood’s statement came after Pakistan Cricket Board CEO Wasim Khan requested the ECB to consider sending a T20 team to the troubled nation ahead of their next scheduled visit in 2022.