Oooofff, that's very close. Alastair Cook doesn't know where the ball has gone after he defends on the back foot to Sohail, the skipper very fortunate to see it bounce over the stumps. Nice shot from Hales, a back-foot punch past point for three, up towards a very empty stand. Sorry to bang on about the lack of numbers in Brum, but I can't get my head around it. I'm sure I'd heard reports of a sellout.

This is good from Amir, pacy, Hales not knowing whether to play or leave. Ooohs and aaahs from the crowd as yet more sunshine pokes through. Amir, remember, gave Hales a pretty torrid time at Old Trafford. Another maiden. Spectators filing in, taking their seats. Where have you been?

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Sohail Khan has played two Tests before this one - in 2009 and 2011. He had taken only wicket and conceded 245 runs.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Sohail is a very imposing presence at the crease. I've not faced him before but I'm scared already. 

A rarity for Pakistan, a right-arm pacer. Sohail Khan, in for Wahab Riaz, shares the new ball. He's a huge man, shoulders likes Atlas. Wouldn't look out of place in the military. He lumbers in, pace in the low 80s, no great movement. Cook defends a maiden as the sun pokes through for the first time.  

James Katz: Served Steven Finn at Nando's once. Medium chicken and 3 portions of rice if you were wondering.

Radagast: Working at a hotel in the midlands in 05 had to fix Mr Trescothick's internet connection & direct players to the bar...

Amir is given a shout of "no-ball" as he delivers the first delivery of the match, but there's nothing after that. There's swing, but too leggy to Hales, who clips fine for four. Very little atmos from the stands, which are surprisingly empty. If you're not at Edgbaston, why not?

Image source, Rex Features

As Amir gets to the end of his run, the ECB confirms that Ben Stokes will also miss the final Test with the calf injury that is causing him to sit out here. Four slips. Play.

Daniel Thorndyke: I helped Mushtaq Ahmed up from the floor at Taunton. Admittedly I'd knocked him over first.

Misbah-ul-Haq, cricket's Yoda, leads his men on to the pitch, hoping this cloud remains blanketed over Edgbaston. Alastair Cook and Alex Hales follow to decent applause. Mohammad Amir is marking out his run - expect him to be dangerous in these conditions.

Image source, Reuters

I'm not sure it's got anything to do with the day of the week, Ben old chap. Jerusalem currently being belted out at a very empty Edgbaston. Where is everyone?

Ben Ellis: With overcast conditions and the ball likely to swing throughout, should tests start on Wednesdays? Happened last year here too!

England's James Anderson on TMS: "I know Steven Finn has had a lot of voices in his ear telling him what to do. That's part and parcel of being a cricketer. You've got to filter that information and use it to your benefit.

"It can be difficult with different coaches with England and your county. You've got to see what works for you.

"Steve is working really hard. He bowled fantastically against Australia at this ground and we hope he can reproduce some of that this time."

Will: My dad told Alec Stewart the score of a Chelsea game at Doha airport, I was asleep behind a palm tree...

On the subject of helping cricketers, I once held the door open for Andrew Strauss. He was very polite. It's not quite on the same scale as finding Gilo's cat, though.

Two runs, James, but I take your point. Very, very murky in Brumingham at the moment. The hovercover is still on the track. It's the sort of morning where James Anderson gets the ball to sing baritone.

Image source, Getty Images

Stephen Allan: Shades of Ponting in '05 from Misbah there? Fully expecting 400 runs in the day now.

James Taylor: Re:10.36 no side batting first at Edgbaston winning since 2005 - and correct me if I'm wrong but that was only by 1 run.