Pakistan have managed to keep the handbrake on for most of the day, but England might just be ready to stamp on the gas. Moeen has joined Bairstow in adding impetus, pouncing on anything loose from this tired attack. A Sohail long hop is cut for four. Misbah, a man who rarely loses it, is giving his bowler a flea in the ear. "I'm sorry skipper, but I'm struggling to lift my arms". 

Neale Pye: We can scrutinise shot selection all day but if England survive the day this could turn out to be a cracking Test match.

Mike: Yes, some overs have been frittered away, but this game is conclusive evidence that Test matches should not be cut to 4 days.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

The batting unit have all contributed - it hasn't been one standout performance like a Cook hundred or a Root hundred.  

The Barmy Army are having a right knees-up now. Lubrication level has reached somewhere in the region of eight out of 10. Some who went too early will be flagging, but most will just be at their lairy peak. Two gorgeous shots from Moeen off Yasir, one a cover drive, another an on-drive. Every run a little wound to the tourists.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

I've been really impressed with how England have fought back since yesterday, because they were in a precarious position.

If you look at the three players under most pressure - Hales, Vince and Ballance - I've seen more of them in this game to suggest they deserve another chance. For the first time Vince looked like a proper Test player.

Good reference from The Night Manager there, Will. Out of interest, where is it? Bairstow, bat raised like a deadly weapon, cuts the returning Sohail to take the lead to 200. England nudging their way. How many is enough? 250?

Bairstow has changed the game, Pakistan are now in full retreat against the Yorkshireman. Just a slip, the rest of the fielders scattered around Birmingham, Yasir round the wicket giving it the Giles-to-Sachin treatment. Two singles from it.

Image source, PA

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

It's on a knife-edge. But I'd rather be in England's shoes, with 190 in the bank.

Two games going on out there. Moeen feeling his way, Bairstow busily knocking the ball into gaps and running for his life. Misbah strokes his magnificent whiskers, searching for the answer like a man trying to solve the Riemann hypothesis. Shot! Bairstow cuts Rahat for four. Lead nears 200.

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

England might be looking at bowling 70 overs at Pakistan tomorrow.

Ordinarily, the leggie would rather bowl to the right-hander, turning the ball away from the bat. Here, though, Bairstow looks comfortable, playing with the spin, driving through the off side. A drive for a couple, a slap off the back foot for three. Jonny B good for England at the moment.

Image source, Getty Images

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

I think England's best chance of winning this match would be if they get bowled out. And then see what happens with whatever lead they get.

Rahat, all floppy mop and designer stubble, continues his scuttling run to Moeen, who is kept on a globe by a couple of steepling bumpers. There are 24 overs left in the day. At the current rate, England would be about 260 in front by the close.

Thomas Knights: Ballance and Vince both have big technical flaws. Both had same mode of dismissal too many times.

Jack Beecroft: Oh dear Gary Ballance and I spilt my tea with that wicket. Talk about bad to worse. Brainless batting by England.

Yasir still round the wicket to leftie Moeen, who wants to play with the spin, to the leg side. His problem is that Pakistan have got their entire XI, squad and backroom staff on that side. Beware of popping one up, or offering a leading edge. Moeen misses two loose balls, stuck on nought. More tension than telling your girlfriend you're going to the pub rather than seeing her mum.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

There's a game on now. I'd let everyone in for free tomorrow if I was in charge. I want bums on seats. Come for a day, come with the family, come and have a picnic.

The England fans sing Livin' On A Prayer. They will be if another wicket goes quickly. At the current rate of scoring/wicket-taking, we're in for a humdinger tomorrow. Pakistan chasing something between 240-260 would be box office. You can't keep Yasir out of the game as he dives to stop a Bairstow cover drive. He gets one, two, three taps on the bottom for his work. Well worth it.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Yasir Shah now has 90 wickets in 15 Tests, which is most by anyone in their first 15 Tests, beating Geroge Lohmann.