Stumps report: Captain Alastair Cook led England's reply to Pakistan's daunting 523-8 declared with a fine unbeaten 168 in the first Test in Abu Dhabi.
He batted throughout the third day but England lost two wickets in three overs late on as they closed on 290-3, needing 34 more to avoid the follow-on.
Cook added 116 for the first wicket with Moeen Ali (35) and 165 for the second wicket with Ian Bell.
Bell fell for 63 to Wahab Riaz, who also removed nightwatchman Mark Wood.
Tea: ENG 197/1
Tea report: Alastair Cook's unbeaten 116 led England's assured reply to Pakistan's 523-8 declared in the first Test in Abu Dhabi.
The skipper's 28th Test hundred dominated a total of 197-1 at tea on the third day, leaving England needing a further 127 to avoid the follow-on.
Cook added 116 with Moeen Ali, who fell for 35 shortly before lunch, and an unbroken 81 with Ian Bell for the second wicket.
Bell overcame a scratchy start to reach 31, hitting only three fours off the 104 balls he has faced on a pitch that continues to offer the bowlers precious little assistance.
Lunch: ENG 122/1
Lunch report: It's been a good morning for England - but Pakistan will not be too disappointed either.
The hosts remain more than 400 runs in front and have dismissed Moeen Ali - Imran Khan getting the left-hander to edge behind after he had scored a gritty 35 - while Ian Bell is looking decidedly shaky at number three.
Slow left-armer Zulfiqar Babar is applying the pressure on Bell with some good spin bowling from around the wicket but captain Alastair Cook remains undefeated at the other end.
He goes into lunch 78 not out, and appears to be on course for his 28th Test century and first in the UAE - the only country where he has not reached three figures.
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