Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

"That's brilliant. Hales did well to get underneath it. I saw his head go down after that dropped catch, but he's really pulled it back."

Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

"Pakistan are going nicely. Babar Azam has helped keep the momentum. It's going to be down to this pair building a big partnership, with a few gun batters to come later on."

50 for Babar Azampublished at 25 overs

25 overs

Pak 176-3

Babar Azam raises his bat for his half-century with the demeanour of a man who knows the job is only half done. 

The change of bowlers slows the progression of the Pakistan innings down a touch, with just five coming off the Woakes over.

Charles Dagnall
BBC Test Match Special

"That should be given as 12 because it is an almighty blow."

Pak 171-3 (Azam 47, Malik 23)published at 24 overs

24 overs

Pakistan need 185 more from 156 balls

I think that's the biggest six of the Pakistan innings. Just as Rashid was thinking he'd get away with a cheap over, Malik launches him back over his head, so high it went past the rays of the 'ring of fire' floodlights and into the crowd. 

Pakistan need just over seven an over, and they're on course at the moment. 

Chris Woakes replaces Moeen at the other end... 

Image source, Getty Images

"WHOOMP! It's a six!" says the scoreboard in Dubai as Malik dispatches Moeen into the upper tier, where the ball is taken in the front row by a spectator who expertly elbowed his mate out of the way to make sure he got there first. It was almost like he'd done it before. 

12 runs off Moeen's over, and there's a bit of impetus growing around this Pakistan innings.

Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

"Pakistan have a talented team. I really enjoy watching Sarfraz Ahmed and he's still to come. They have nothing to lose, so they are being positive. We're in for a tasty game."

Image source, AFP

Adil Rashid has started really well here - he's bowling with composure and hitting the right areas. Just four from his latest over, but the 150 is up - with three overs left before the halfway stage. With Pakistan still right in this, allow me to hand you over toTim Peach,who will take you through to what should be a thrilling conclusion.

The boundaries are flowing for Azam. This time it's Moeen who gets the treatment - a full toss slashed behind backward point for four.

Pak 138-3published at 20 overs

20 overs

Superb from Babar Azam, stepping down the track and lofting Rashid inside-out for a big six over extra-cover. There's still plenty of danger lurking in this Pakistan batting line-up. Shoaib Malik is the new man - he gets off the mark with a single to deep cover.

Ramiz Raja
Former Pakistan captain on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, AFP

"Hafeez is hopeless at running. He's got no idea how to do it between the wickets. This is not the first time. It's just ridiculous. Pakistan were having a lot of fun, but this is a major breakthrough for England."

Dave Haggart: After the Powerplay, Pakistan were on course to be 355/10 at the end of their allotted overs #scoreslevel, external

Image source, AFP

Talking of Rashid, here is Adil. The sometimes erratic leggie has to bowl to two batsman in savage mood - this could get very, very gory if he's not careful. But he starts well, showcasing nice control of his lengths to restrict the batsmen to four singles.

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Moeen will expect to be attacked, but something he can do, which Rashid can't, is to bring his cover in - he has long-off and long-on out, but no-one on the cover boundary."

England need to dampen the fervour of this Pakistani run chase and quieten the raucous Dubai crowd. Moeen looks like he's done just that, with five tight deliveries, but his final ball is loose and leg-sidish and Azam sweeps it to the fine-leg fence to keep the scoreboard rolling.

Pakistan 118-2 (16 overs) - target 356

Batsmen: Hafeez 35 (27 balls), Azam 21 (20)

Fall of wickets: 45-1 (Shehzad 13), 64-2 (Azhar 44)

Bowling figures: Willey 6-0-34-2, Topley 4-0-39-0, Woakes 4-0-31-0, Moeen 2-0-13-0.

England 355-5 (50 overs) - Buttler 116*, Roy 102, Root 71

England won toss

Full scorecard

Ramiz Raja
Former Pakistan captain on BBC Test Match Special

"Pakistan have no option but to go out there and attack. That can free your mind from all negativity."

England would have loved to see the back of Hafeez. He was a real thorn in their side during the Test series and if anyone can underpin  a successful chase here, it might be him. Down on the boundary, Hales is stewing like a boeuf bourguignon - every time the ball comes his way, it's thrown back with an extra bit of frustration behind it.

Hafeez pulls Topley through midwicket for four, and that will be drinks, with Pakistan menacingly placed.