England, in reply to Pakistan’s 523 for eight declared, were 400-3 at lunch on the fourth day of the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Alastair Cook was unbeaten on 204 and Joe Root was on 76 as England progressed from 290 for three without losing a wicket in the session on a flat Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch.
They now trail Pakistan by 123 runs with seven wickets intact.
For Pakistan paceman Wahab Riaz is the best bowler with 2-109.