England chipped away at Pakistan on the third morning at Edgbaston to ensure the Test did not run away from them, but Misbah-ul-Haq remained firm to take his side to a 39-run lead at lunch.
He lost two key top-order batsmen during the session as Younis Khan's struggles continued and Asad Shafiq was removed for a long duck, but by the interval Sarfraz Ahmed had helped add 40 in a lively sixth-wicket stand.
Pakistan resumed 40 behind, with Azhar Ali dismissed to the last ball of the second day, and they continued their measured approach against the second new ball. It was in the hands of a contrite James Anderson, who could have escaped any sanction after his outburst on the second day, and the in-form Chris Woakes who was given the early duties ahead of Stuart Broad.
As they had on the second day, England kept a lid on the scoring rate: Anderson's opening five-over spell cost just four runs. While Pakistan had plenty of wickets in hand they were content, but their approach did mean they were vulnerable should inroads be made.
Younis was slightly less jumpy than in the first two Tests but could not escape his rut, providing England their first wicket of the day when he glanced Woakes down the leg side - a similar dismissal to the first innings at Old Trafford off Ben Stokes.
Misbah continued to leave and defend against some tight bowling, only occasionally breaking free when he drove Broad for consecutive boundaries, in a manner very similar to how he has played throughout this cluster of England Tests in the last eight months. By lunch, the runs had started to come more freely.
Shafiq started brightly at Lord's but has been slightly less productive since and could not break the shackles before losing his off stump when Broad made a delivery nip back which he was late on. At that point, Pakistan were yet to take the lead and England sniffed a chance to keep the Test even.
Not for the first time, Sarfraz's appearance brought energy to the innings, both in his punchy strokeplay and eagerness to keep the strike rotating. Misbah's early caution was also rewarded as he moved from 7 off 39 balls to 44 off 89, although one of his boundaries came when an edge flashed past Joe Root who was stood at a very close third slip.
The introduction of Moeen Ali shortly before lunch brought the expected response as Misbah soon reverse-swept him and Pakistan remain well placed for a strong lead, although England will cling to the fact they have a lengthy tail to follow.
He lost two key top-order batsmen during the session as Younis Khan's struggles continued and Asad Shafiq was removed for a long duck, but by the interval Sarfraz Ahmed had helped add 40 in a lively sixth-wicket stand.
Pakistan resumed 40 behind, with Azhar Ali dismissed to the last ball of the second day, and they continued their measured approach against the second new ball. It was in the hands of a contrite James Anderson, who could have escaped any sanction after his outburst on the second day, and the in-form Chris Woakes who was given the early duties ahead of Stuart Broad.
As they had on the second day, England kept a lid on the scoring rate: Anderson's opening five-over spell cost just four runs. While Pakistan had plenty of wickets in hand they were content, but their approach did mean they were vulnerable should inroads be made.
Younis was slightly less jumpy than in the first two Tests but could not escape his rut, providing England their first wicket of the day when he glanced Woakes down the leg side - a similar dismissal to the first innings at Old Trafford off Ben Stokes.
Misbah continued to leave and defend against some tight bowling, only occasionally breaking free when he drove Broad for consecutive boundaries, in a manner very similar to how he has played throughout this cluster of England Tests in the last eight months. By lunch, the runs had started to come more freely.
Shafiq started brightly at Lord's but has been slightly less productive since and could not break the shackles before losing his off stump when Broad made a delivery nip back which he was late on. At that point, Pakistan were yet to take the lead and England sniffed a chance to keep the Test even.
Not for the first time, Sarfraz's appearance brought energy to the innings, both in his punchy strokeplay and eagerness to keep the strike rotating. Misbah's early caution was also rewarded as he moved from 7 off 39 balls to 44 off 89, although one of his boundaries came when an edge flashed past Joe Root who was stood at a very close third slip.
The introduction of Moeen Ali shortly before lunch brought the expected response as Misbah soon reverse-swept him and Pakistan remain well placed for a strong lead, although England will cling to the fact they have a lengthy tail to follow.
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