Azhar falls for 139 off final ball of day
Azhar dropped on 38 & 69
Aslam 82, Younus 21*
Azhar & Aslam add 181 for 2nd wicket
Third Test, Edgbaston; series 1-1
Fitting tribute from Swann given what's (literally) at stake. Nevertheless, whether you deal in hats-offs or salutes, we too shall bid adieu for the evening, in hopes of another exciting day of cricket. Everybody, make sure you practice those press-ups.
Alvida!
Image source, Getty Images#bbccricket
Tony Williams: Not the most exciting day but excellent batting from Pakistan, esp Azhar & Aslam. Tough ask for England to win it from here.
So Pakistan on top after frustrating England and while we await the outcome of Graeme Swann's 450-run-wager, here's the day's happenings in handy report form for you to chew upon.
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
Pakistan's defensive play was admirable. They kept it simple and made England bowl to them. They have got in a great position and they deserve all credit.
Azhar Ali on Sky Sports: "It was a hard-working day but unfortunately I couldn't finish it off. The last ball is always nervy - it was a loose shot. But I'm really pleased that I got a hundred today.
"You come to England and you always want to perform. The reputation is we don't perform in English conditions and you want to prove that wrong.
"A lot of credit to the coaches. They have been working hard with me in the nets and also mentally."
Joy for England came on the final ball of the day. Number three batsman Azhar, who had to come in on the fifth ball of the day and who batted for 293 deliveries, made 139 before edging Woakes to slip. It was a tame end to what had been an innings-saving score for Pakistan. But he left with his head and bat held high.
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
England can get back in but they've got to get wickets with the new ball. If you want to win a Test match, catches can really, really hurt you.
There was consternation for England's bowlers all round, but perhaps no more than what Anderson experienced. Not only did he see Azhar dropped off his bowling earlier, but he was also warned twice about running on to the middle of the pitch by the umpire.
He later told Sky Sports: "I've tried being tight with my follow-throughs. I've apologised for my behaviour to the umpire. I was probably a bit out of order. It can get a bit frustrating as I'm competitive."
Image source, GettyIt was Azhar Ali's call for a single that prompted Aslam's run-out. In that sense, it was probably good from a team perspective that Azhar went on to make a century. It was his first ton outside Asia. And, of course, like all celebrating Pakistani players in this series, he marked the occasion with a salute and some press-ups.
Aslam struck nine fours and a six - the latter off Moeen - in his 176-ball 82. And in fairness, he probably deserved a century for his efforts. However, after 370 balls of co-ordination between the two batsmen, a running mix-up ended Aslam's stay.
England's James Anderson on Sky Sports: "I thought the pitch seemed a bit slower than yesterday. We bowled pretty well. We kept them at three-an-over for most of the day. All credit to the Pakistan guys at the top of the order - they played really well."
Pakistan rode their luck at times as well. Azhar Ali was dropped on 38 by Joe Root off Anderson at second slip, and by Moeen on 69.
Azhar dropped by Root at second slip
Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
Aslam played very well. I liked the closeness of his bat and pad together - he absolutely killed England by defending so well he didn't give them a sniff.
If yesterday was the turn of Sohail Khan, one of Pakistan's team changes for this Test, to shine with the ball, today was time for the other change, Sami Aslam. Playing his first first-class game since December, he added 181 with Azhar Ali and proceeded to frustrate England for 61.4 overs.
So a wicket off the final ball of the day, which sort of brings the day to a full circle. England began brilliantly when James Anderson got rid of Mohammad Hafeez. And it looked like Graeme Swann could well become our predictor-in-chief.
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
It was a brilliant catch by Alastair Cook. It was a tired shot - he just jabbed at it. But if Pakistan had been offered 257-3 at he start of the day they would have ripped your hand off. It's been a brilliant day's play for them.
Azhar c Cook b Woakes (Pak 257-3)
Dearie me! Azhar Ali, you may well slap your helmet. He's been dismissed off the final ball of the day. Woakes was preparing to see out another solid defence from the batsman, but a cheeky rising delivery was met with an unsure bat position, and an outside edge was caught by Cook at first slip with cupped hands. How disappointed will Azhar feel, having batted for pretty much most of the day? That's stumps as well.
#bbccricket
Anand Dahihandekar: This has been a bizarre Test series so far! Complete turnarounds of performance by each team.