Faheem Ashraf bowls a slower, off-cutter that grips and turns in the surface, beating Zak Crawley's defences. Definite encouragement for the spinners.

Crawley is unperturbed however as he pushes the next ball off the back foot down the ground for four.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer in Multan

In Ben and Baz we trust, obviously. They have plenty of credit in the bank.

However, the decision to stick with Ollie Pope behind the stumps was the first Stokes-McCullum decision that made me wince. If England hadn't won in Rawalpindi, how much might we have been talking about the two chances Pope missed? Particularly the edge he didn't move for on the last afternoon.

England are helped by winning the toss, so Pope will not have to keep, then bat three. Yet. And what does this mean for Ben Foakes' future, with Jonny Bairstow due to return at some point next year?

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator

Seeing the far end of the ground, it's very hard to pick out the spectators. They're probably 140m away, maybe more. But in the middle, the visibility will be absolutely fine.

It's a bit like a football match where the referee stands in the centre circle, says 'yep, I can see both goals so off we go.' But those in the stands can't see a thing.

This is a fairly conservative start by England compared to recent efforts. They are not taking too many risks, perhaps to get a true measure of the pitch.

The TV cameras are focusing on Pakistan's new 'mystery spinner' Abrar Ahmed. Will we see him come into the attack soon? There does not seem to be much there for the seamers.

Tom: Wide awake and watching at 10:46pm from Mexico on my honeymoon…I’m sure my wife doesn’t mind.

Vic Marks
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

That's a rerun of Rawalpindi. A beautiful shot, a back foot shot with the bat almost perfectly vertical and the ball sped away.

That's a lovely shot from Zak Crawley as he stands up and uses his tall frame to cream the ball off the back foot through the covers for four.

Babar Azam runs in to take a closer look at the pitch at the end of the over. There doesn't look to be too much encouragement for the seamers.

Aatif Nawaz
BBC Test Match Special commentator

It's a really beautiful cricket ground but it has only been here since the start of the century, 2001. This is only the sixth Test ever in Multan.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator

Is that 'four more to the England', I hear? Well, it's the first four to England but I'm sure there will be plenty more.

England do get off the mark when Ben Duckett clips the ball fine off his pads for four, much to the delight of the 150 or so England fans who have made the trip.

There are plenty of empty seats but the stadium is filling up all the time, with those already present doing their best to drum up a decent atmosphere.

Vic Marks
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

A maiden. This England team under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum always surprise you...

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

Pakistan have only got the two seamers and that is purely because they think it is going to spin.

It looks very flat in the middle of the wicket but it does look like it'll break up. Waqar Younis doesn't think it will change too much because we're not in the height of summer but it looks like a pitch that will start doing a bit.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator

Early indications are that there is not much pace and bounce in the pitch, which doesn't necessarily surprise us in Pakistan.

A quiet start as Faheem Ashraf bowls a maiden first up. (this isn't Baz Ball?!).

The pitch looks a little slow, so I wouldn't be surprised if the spinners are on soon.

Mohammad Ali will open at the other end.

Faheem Ashraf will open the bowling for Pakistan.

Here we go...

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

Pakistan would have given anything to win the toss. They have packed their side with spinners, they've got only two seamers. That is a side that is desperate to bat first.

If it's anything like Rawalpindi, Rob. I'd give it an hour.

Umpires Aleem Dar and Marais Erasmus stride out onto the field, swiftly followed by the Pakistan players and England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett.

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

It's strange that Ben Foakes has missed out and it is purely because they think we'll lose more time than we did in the first Test.

We thought we might have some delayed starts and some early finishes so they've kept that really attacking look to the side, plus they needed to get Mark Wood into the side.

He bowls absolute rockets, 90-plus mph. We saw him bowl 97mph in the World Cup so if he is fit, you have to get him into the side. You feel sorry for Foakes because he is the best wicketkeeper in the world.

This is about winning matches for England and they will do anything and everything to win matches. It's all about that aggressive mindset.

So three changes for Pakistan including a debut for leg spinner Abrar Ahmed. Faheem Ashraf and Zahid Mahmood also come in with Haris Rauf, Azhar Ali and Naseem Shah dropping out.

England had already confirmed one change to their team with Mark Wood replacing the injured Liam Livingstone for his first Test since March. There is no place for Ben Foakes, which means Ollie Pope retains the gloves.

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam Ul-Haq Babar Azam (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Ali, Abrar Ahmed.

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (wk), Joe Root, Ben Stokes (capt), Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Mark Wood James Anderson.