The slip cordon has been trimmed to two men now - Alastair Cook and Joe Root. Captain and vice-captain. The brains trust. What cunning plans are they discussing? Judging by the TV footage, it looks like they've just had a domestic. Another Ballance misfield that allows two runs for Azhar doesn't go down well with his skipper or Finn the bowler. Twenty minutes until tea.

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Aslam has stopped the bleeding at the top of the order, cauterised the wound. I'm worried about Moeen Ali's body language, his apparent lack of confidence.

50 for Aslampublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 4 August 2016

15:16 BST 4 August 2016

Pak 123-1

A Pakistani bat is raised for the second time this session, Sami Aslam bringing up his maiden Test fifty - in his third match - with a paddle sweep for four off Moeen. An awkward hug with Azhar Ali and a standing ovation from his team-mates on the balcony. Six off the over.

Gordon Thursfield: Lethargic bowling and fielding from England to follow some pretty mediocre batting. Wake up chaps.

A little less than half an hour before lunch and England turn to spin. What can Moeen Ali do?

Finn, his floppy fringe covering his face as he charges in, has equally little joy. Azhar punches off the back foot, wide of mid-on for a couple to end another frustrating over for England. Azhar and Aslam look like they're there for the long haul. Finn kicks the dirt.

Matt Evans: Re 14:59 surely Julian is a hardcore cricket fan as he refused to get married in summer and miss a Saturday league game.

England's seamers haven't bowled badly - Woakes is the most expensive of them, conceding 2.8 runs an over. It's just that they've haven't really threatened enough. Woakes persists with his off-stump line, Aslam continues to blunt him before collecting a single off the penultimate ball.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Pakistan are doing a good job, setting their stall out to bat a long time in the first innings. They need a good lead. The footholes will develop for Yasir Shah.

Finn round the wicket, touching 90mph. Sami scampering, somewhat slower but comfortably making his ground. Captain Cook does his best Sam Allardyce impression as he chomps on his chewing gum at first slip. A misfield from a tumbling Gary Ballance gitfs Azhar a single through mid-on. Three off the over. I wonder what Big Sam's tea-time team talk would sound like if he was in charge...

Julian, I notice in your tweet that the covers have been stripped and the plastic fencing is around the square. Which suggests you had your wedding out of season. Which tells me you are clearly not a hardcore cricket fan. Tut tut.

Woakes goes up for an lbw shout against the crab-like Aslam, but umpire Bruce Oxenford won't be moved. Wasn't even close.

If Finn got some stick for bowling too short before lunch, he may well find himself on the receiving end of some more soon. Aslam and Azhar not unduly inconvenienced in that over - three singles off it and Pakistan looking comfortable.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Azhar Ali has got to make this count. I thought the pitch would be hooping all over the place.

Swing from Woakes, but long after the ball passes the bat - enough to have Jonny Bairstow fumbling his diving attempt in front of first slip. Edgbaston, the most raucous of England's Test grounds, has been silenced. The manager of a football team playing away from home would have been proud.

The players all have a drink as Chris Woakes removes his jumper - a double bowling change for England as they strive for the breakthrough.