A 93-run partnership between Younis Khan and captain Misbah-ul-Haq has guided Pakistan to 178-3 at tea on day one of the second Test in Dubai.
The Men in Green won the toss and opted to bat, but it was England who made the early breakthroughs in the morning session, as Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes claimed a wicket apiece.
Pakistan resumed on 85-2 after lunch, but suffered another blow when Shan Masood fell moments after the restart, edging a James Anderson delivery behind to Jos Buttler on 54. The batsman had failed to add to his morning total before Anderson struck.
Misbah joined Younis at the crease and the pair quickly set about limiting the damage done with some patient play. England found it hard to create wicket-taking opportunities, with the likes of Anderson and Mark Wood beginning to toil against the experienced duo.
Younis brought up his 50 by turning the ball into a gap at deep midwicket for two runs, reaching the milestone off 89 deliveries.
England failed to find another wicket before tea, meaning that Younis (56*) and Misbah (44*) will return for the evening session.