Joe Root's unbeaten half-century helped stuttering England reach 182 for three at the close on the second day of the second test on Friday after Pakistan's seam and spin attack ran through the tourists' top order.
Pakistan, playing in its adopted United Arab Emirates home, was bowled out for 378 before lunch, some erratic slogging causing the hosts' last five wickets to fall for 44 runs.
Pakistan pacemen Wahab Riaz and Imran Khan were given the new ball and captain Misbah-ul-Haq packed the slip cordon.