Dubai - England, set a daunting target of 491, were 45-2 at tea on the fourth day of the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday.
Ian Bell (18) and Joe Root (14) were at the crease after Moeen Ali (one) and Alastair Cook (ten) were dismissed in the post-lunch session.
England need another 446 runs with eight wickets intact and four sessions of play remaining in the match.
Pakistan declared their second innings on 354-6 after Younis Khan made 118 for his 31st Test century.
The first Test in the three-match series ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.