Tuffers, I tell you what, even the crowd sound like they're a bit wary of this England opening pair at the moment. I can't hear any big cheers or anything, mostly a nervous sort of murmur. Amir bowls another maiden to Cook, who to be fair can literally do this all day.

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

I just have this feeling we'll be three or four down tonight.

Sohail can't replicate Amir's maiden but there was a moment of concern for Hales when he prodded forward only to be greeted with shouts for lbw. Inside edge. Simmer down, simmer down. Hales responded with a good drive which brought two.

The optimism and pessimism of England fans are demonstrated here:

Lance Whemiton: England settle down to bat for two days on a placid Oval wicket. I fancy them to pass 450 without alarm.

Stoney: Surely just a matter of time with Alex Hales who is a walking wicket. Doesn't fill anyone with confidence.

The sun's out at The Oval. Rejoice, have a drink, play the banjo, and dance with a leopard. All at the same time if you so wish. Cook sees out a maiden from Amir at this historic weather moment. Still the four-slip cordon is there, and why not? Movement is there off the pitch. Amir from over the wicket has kept both batsmen in check.

Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

They've got almost a perfect attack - two left-armers, a right-arm swinger and a leggie. Should do the job. You sense a lot depends on Alastair Cook for England.

Here's something interesting. Sohail is running in about half-a-foot away from the stumps at the bowling end I reckon. Which means surely he at some point will be in danger of running on to the danger zone? He keeps four slips, his grunts sounding vaguely like "yeahh", and bangs it in on a straight line. A single in the end.

Ed Smith
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

If wickets tumble, the bowling takes care of itself, but if England make a good start, I'd give Yasir Shah an early bowl.

Runs. 2.3 overs into this potentially match-defining session, England get on the board in the second innings. Cook did really well to push away at an Amir delivery that had swing and menace sprayed all over it like a Banksy artwork. It's a single, before Hales makes the over look better with a four through square leg, as Amir strays on to his pads.

Gavin: Dangerous in a series to be 2-1 up with one to play. Did England think they had it done? Pakistan have played with more desire.

Ooof! Alex Hales will just not stop being friendly with the slips will he? And what is it about Azhar Ali and being given half-chances? Sohail Khan mimics Amir in getting some shape away, and he gets Hales' outside edge with one that rose up a bit. Fortunately for Hales it lands short of a diving Azhar.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

The last time England won the last Test of a series was in 2014 against India. In the six series since then they've lost the final Test five times and drawn in the last one, which was against Sri Lanka at Lord's.  

We've seen a lot of huffing and puffing in this Test. Mohammad Amir is no different, and he backs it up with some super deliveries to beat Alastair Cook, including one that shaped beautifully away. That seam position angled towards slips had so much hang time before moving away Michael Jordan is taking lessons.

Jonny Winterburn: Ever the optimist, what's the highest individual score in a losing cause? Colly's 206 v Aus in '06 got to be up there...

Alastair Cook to face, Mohammad Amir to bowl. Let's see if England have anything left in the tank after today's toil.

Doug Woodcock: England have the talent to bat out for a draw. They're up against it for sure but the pitch still looks good.

Cheers Justin! If this was the Olympics, it would be halfway through the rowing and Pakistan would be ahead by a few boat lengths. If this was football, England would be eating their half-time oranges wondering how to overcome a 3-0 lead. Not many have recovered from such a position.

But this is cricket. Pre-match predictions and halfway points could mean little by the time play ends today. 

Can England reprise their Edgbaston heroics and pull off a victory after conceding a sizeable first-innings deficit? Or will Pakistan convert their dominance into the win which would draw the series. We can't promise answers today, but this session will give us a mighty big clue. Bibhash Dash will talk you through it.

BBC Test Match Special

Sir Curtly Ambrose on TMS: "Phil Simmons the West Indies coach rang me to told me I was going to be no longer the bowling coach. I asked him what I had done poorly. He told me I did a wonderful job, and I did everything he asked. I brought a high level of discipline to the team, but he said he wanted somebody more technical. That doesn't make any sense to me. But if people have technical issues, they shouldn't be in the international team."

Freddy K: Three main talking points of this Test match: Cook's toss winning shocker, England's dropped catches, and Younus Khan's masterclass!