Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

There's so much time left, so many overs. Even if it rains once or twice, you add an hour to the day. It was just a bit unnecessary really. I'm not over critical of what they did. The way Pakistan were down, the way they batted, England were cock-a-hoop, a confident side, and would have crushed Pakistan. England will win and win handsomely. But it's like with football, you carry on winning 1-0 or you show how ruthless you are.

So, will we see some backbone from Pakistan? Or will England go through them like a hot knive through butter?

England's Jonny Bairstow shares a joke with the team's security man on the boundary edge. I think his name is Reg.

The rest of the team soon follow and Alastair Cook gathers them round for a pep talk.

Matthew Kimber: Off work sick with a pin in my toe to straighten it. #bbccricket, external keeping me entertained as I can't leave the house far!

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

It was overkill, but England will say the ends will justify the means, and you can't fault them on that.

So England added 75 runs in nine overs this morning. No messing about there.

Sohail Nawaz: Press-ups anyone??

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

I don't think it will rain enough to stop England from winning. The bowling was nothing special but England did it well this morning.

Alastair Cook creams four into the off side and then marches off.

Pakistan will need 565 runs to win. More likely, England need 10 wickets.

The game resumes for real now.

The 12th man runs on with some drinks and a message for the skipper (after being sent scurrying down the dressing room steps). He either wants the pin code for the team tablet or he's relaying declaration instructions. Probably the latter.

Alastair Cook is swinging furiously now - like a boxer who is behind on the scorecards. He plays an ugly heave into the leg side but gets a leading edge into the off side.

Joe Root is slightly more elegant when he plays a switch-hit for four.

Henry Blofeld
BBC Test Match Special

Runs are coming at a torrential rate.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

The highest total chased in Test cricket is 418. The highest chased in first-class cricket is 541, so this would be a first-class record if Pakistan got them.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

It's like commentating on a charity match - just chuck it up. It's overkill. Pakistan wouldn't get these runs if I was bowling!

It's ridiculous how good Joe Root is. We should enjoy this - it's almost exhibition batting.

The world's number one bowler is scooped over the batsman's shoulder, then walloped through cow corner for four. It's like he's playing against the local postie on the village green, not the best leggie since Shane Warne. Imperious.

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Joe Root is the third England player to make a 250 and a fifty in the same Test. Andy Sandham scored 325 and 50 against West Indies in Jamaica in 1930 and Graham Gooch made 333 & 123 against India at Lord's in 1990.

If singles were a currency, they would be worth very little in England's innings. The market is flooded with them.

Once Pakistan bat, they will be hard to come by. Their value will sky-rocket. Gold-dust springs to mind.

Joe Root reverse-sweeps Azhar Ali for four. Super shot.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Joe Root's fifty, off 38 balls, equals his quickest in Test cricket.

The best thing about a declaration-setting second innings?

Seeing Alastair Cook trying to reverse-sweep Yasir Shah. The skipper fails to find the middle of the bat and reverts to type with a glance into the leg side.

Seeing Cook trying such shots is like bumping into your Mum in a nightclub. It's all rather awkward for everyone.

Henry Blofeld
BBC Test Match Special

It's Mount Everest time for Pakistan.

50 for Joe Rootpublished at 11:23 British Summer Time 25 July 2016

11:23 BST 25 July 2016

off 38 balls

Joe Root won't score an easier fifty - the landmark being brought up in 38 balls with a slog-sweep through cow corner for four off Yasir Shah. Keep going, fellas. Pile them up.

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Joe Root is racing along. England are progressing very quickly and the game is progressing.