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By Mark Mitchener
Morning, everyone. Whether you've been in hibernation since the end of October and England's rather sorry display in the one-dayers in India, or following our Australian Open coverage through the night, it's a warm welcome back to Test cricket for the start of England's series with Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, and the first Test starts in Dubai at 0600 GMT.
With Ian Bell and Stuart Broad passed fit yesterday, the only selection query for England rests with their bowling attack. Team news - and news of the toss - as we get it.
On Twitter: "In the stadium and ready to go. Chilly start but sun slowly rising. Jimmy A told me yesterday he got the ball to swing in here at practice."
England win the toss and will bat first.
"Looks like a pretty good wicket - the incentive is to have first use of it and get a good score on the board," says England skipper Andrew Strauss. Team news is that Chris Tremlett gets the third seamer's spot vacated by Tim Bresnan's injury.
Unlike his opposite number, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has chosen two spinners - Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman - to back up seamers Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema. He admits he would have batted.
So, poor old Monty Panesar will be carrying the drinks despite that haul of wickets in the warm-up game. We shouldn't be surprised, really - England have followed the "six batsmen, keeper, three seamers, one spinner" formula slavishly for nearly two years, ever since playing James Tredwell as a second spinner in Bangladesh in early 2010.
Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal (wk), Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema.
England: Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett.
Umpires are the familiar (Billy Bowden of New Zealand) and the less familiar (Bruce Oxenford of Australia), with fellow Aussie Steve Davis as third umpire twiddling the TV replay buttons (we've got the full DRS in this series). Fourth ump is Pakistan's Ahsan Raza, while India's Javagal Srinath is match referee.
While we wait for Test Match Special to take to the airwaves at 0545 GMT, a reminder that we want to hear from you as the Test (and indeed the series) develops - you can email tms@bbc.co.uk (with "For Mark Mitchener" in the subject line), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word, to help distinguish your texts from those destined for the Aussie Open tennis), or tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket - come on in, we won't bite.
From Anonymous (don't forget to put your name on): "Can't help feel Strauss has made a rookie error batting first. First day pitches have better bounce in these parts so why bat first with our bowlers?"
From kurt_sullivan: "There seems to be a lack of spectators in the stadium. When I say lack, I mean none at all! What's going on?!"
Plenty of empty seats by the look of it. Anyone following this from inside the stadium? Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to let us know what the atmosphere is like.
"Grounds like the Rose Bowl in England are becoming very pretty, but this is better. They call it the 'ring of fire' when the lights are on. The only minus about coming to Dubai is the cost of food. It was very expensive last night, I'm not eating pizza every night! It cost Michael Vaughan \u00a370 for a steak!"
If you're only just tuning into "cricket mode", there's been plenty to read before the start of the series. Jonathan Agnew reflects on the start of a challenging year for England, TMS pundit Ramiz Raja wonders whether the spot-fixing saga could have been a blessing in disguise for Pakistan, my match-report colleague\u00a0Sam Sheringham assesses the strength of England's bowling attack, Middlesex's Dawid Malan offers some tips about playing in the UAE, and there's even a look at whether all those empty seats will be filled.
"If England start well, I think they'll dominate this series. Pakistan have had a good year, but I don't think they've played any of the top teams in that time."
"I think there's more cranes here than anywhere in the world."
Pakistan and England take the field, and looking at the TV pictures I've not seen this many empty seats since I was at the Gabba for the last day of the first Ashes Test last winter, where the ground was packed with Aussies disguised as empty seats. We're ready to go.
From leachescu: "Baby due on Friday, England away series to keep me going through those cold mornings with the mini-me. Superb."
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved
The experienced Umar Gul takes the new ball for Pakistan, and captain Andrew Strauss gets England under way by leg-glancing the second ball of the day for a single. Fellow left-hander Alastair Cook squirts his second ball past mid-on and they scamper another.
From Pom in Perth, TMS inbox: "Poor old Monty. Why does the 12th man still carry the drinks? Wouldn't happen in football. And in rugby they favour the remote control toy to deliver the kicking tee etc. Isn't there someone else in the England retinue who is specifically tasked with and qualified for drink carrying?"
While Aggers welcomes Andrew Samson - a bearded South African who was TMS's scorer in the Ashes last winter - to the airwaves, Aizaz Cheema begins his run-up... and then the right-arm seamer pulls up as one of the few people in the ground has contrived to walk behind the sightscreen! Cook steers a single wide of cover point, while Michael Vaughan has already noticed Pakistan's fielders throwing the ball in on the bounce to give it a bit of wear. Umpire Bowden isn't happy with Cheema's follow-through, Strauss helps himself to a couple through the covers but the bowler finds the leading edge a couple of times.
From Will Portch: "I think Strauss is batting first to not have to bat last. Despite us only having one spinner for the 4th innings, I think he wants to avoid having to face Pakistan's on a wearing pitch."
Cook is solid in defence, playing out a maiden over\u00a0against Gul as Aggers and Michael Vaughan debate the empty seats - admission is only \u00a34 apparently, while in Abu Dhabi it's free!
A reminder that if you're drifting in and out of sleep, not only can you hear Aggers and Geoff Boycott reviewing each day's play in the legendary TMS Podcast, but there's also a highlights show each day which runs through the afternoon from 1400 GMT on BBC 5 live sports extra.
From CJTebb: "Tell Geoff Boycott to find a local restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol and he'll find cheap good food!"
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved, whether with culinary advice for Boycs or not!
Strauss steers Cheema for three off his legs, while there's a loud appeal from Cheema as he raps Cook on the pad. But although we've got the full DRS with all the requisite bells and whistles in this series, Pakistan opt against a review. Sedate but steady start by the tourists.
A stat from my colleague Jon Barbuti - while Cheema's lack of pace may hint he's no great threat, the stats suggest otherwise. In every form of cricket, his bowling average is under 25 and in first-class matches his 246 victims have come at a little under 22 apiece.
From Bill in Dubai, TMS inbox: "Reason for empty seats \u2013 lack of advertising that the match is on \u2013 cost of tickets (approx. 179 quid!). Will be packed at the weekend I reckon. We live close to the stadium and the other problem will be parking. I am trying to arrange a day off to get to the match. Not sure where Michael Vaughan has been eating but there are plenty of reasonable places to eat and the quality of the food out here is good."
Cook tries to force a lifter off his legs, wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal - the third Akmal brother to play Test cricket after Kamran and Umar - gives chase and throws at the stumps at the bowler's end, but Cook has made his ground as they run a leg bye. "Adnan Akmal looks a better keeper than his brother," notes CMJ on TMS, while Gul fires one down past Strauss's outside edge as he prods defensively off the back foot. Umpire Oxenford shakes his head as Gul appeals for lbw... and that's a good call as it pitched outside leg stump.
From lorus59: "If someone hits a six\u00a0into the stands, it could take a while to find the ball as there is no one there."
Apart from the woman who just walked behind the bowler's arm again! Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved
It's only the sixth over on the first morning of a Test, but Pakistan turn to spin - and off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez strikes with\u00a0his third ball\u00a0as he has Cook caught behind attempting a cut shot!
"Saeed Ajmal told me yesterday that Hafeez would get the left-handers out - well, he's got one of them already!"
From Pom in Melbourne, TMS inbox: "Re: Pom in Perth (0605) - Surely the players' mothers would be the perfect candidates. They could bring out their orange and barley on a tray with a Twix (other biscuits are available), and urge them to buck their ideas up. Maybe a playful grab of the cheek if they have been up to no good."
Jonathan Trott is the new batsman, digging himself in as is his habit - there's a bit of a comedy moment when the ball disappears behind Hafeez just as he's about to bowl, flicking out of his hand, and Billy B demonstratively signals "dead ball".
"That was quite a celebration from Hafeez - it's good when you can bring on your third spinner first, and immediately get a a wicket!"
Strauss knocks Gul for a single, bringing the right-handed Trott on strike. The Warwickshire man sees off the rest of the over safely.
From Anonymous: "My second cousin, Bruce Oxenford, is umpiring. He played for Kent seconds in the mid 80's, as well as bowling leg spin for Queensland later on. A great bloke!"
Strauss confidently leaves one from Hafeez, clearly confident that unlike fellow off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, Hafeez does not possess a doosra. "This is a bit like England putting Kevin Pietersen on, although Pietersen's not as good a bowler as Hafeez," notes Vic Marks, a man who should know off-spin better than most. A second maiden for Hafeez, who's really in the side as an opening batsman who can bowl, rather than as a genuine all-rounder.
From Drew, in the stadium, TMS inbox: "Bunch of schoolkids just come in the stadium making a racket, disturbing my first session siesta. Agree with Bill on the advertising but not the prices, paid 80 quid for\u00a0five days in best seats AND with a cash bar!"
Finally we have our first boundary of the day as Trott carves Gul through mid-wicket for four, getting off the mark with his eighth ball. Trott and Strauss help themselves to a couple of quick singles, then Gul strays with his line and Trott steers a wide half-volley for three to the extra cover boundary.
From jackbyrne91: "Do England need\u00a0seven batsmen? Spinner gets a wicket after\u00a0five overs. Should have played Monty for Morgan."
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved
From Woody in Dubai, TMS inbox: "Reason for lack of spectators - Dubai is legendary for late arrivals to events; it will fill up during the day. And Boycs needs to get himself to one of the\u00a0hundreds of 'all you can eat/drink' buffets around town. Eating out is ridiculously cheap out here."
Henry Blofeld replaces CMJ on TMS - not sure there will be too many buses or pigeons for him to spot, although he's already spotted some cars nearby. "We're so far out of the main city, there's no public transport here," Vic Marks warns Blowers, who will remain vigilant to see if he can spot any passing camels. England are taking no chances against Hafeez's off-spin, he has figures of 3-3-0-1 after Trott plays out a measured maiden over.
"Misbah's done well here - he's still got Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman to bowl spin, maybe Rehman will come on to bowl at Kevin Pietersen!"
Gul takes a rest after five overs and his new-ball partner Cheema returns - Strauss tries to turn him to leg but the ball flies through extra cover for one. Trott prods at a lifter and it sails safely along the ground between third slip and gully for four. He then unleashes what Blowers calls a "Harrow drive", as an intended cover drive flies off the inside edge, over the stumps and down to fine leg for four as Cheema holds his head in frustration.
From hairbearrob: "Woke to see Cheema playing and got flashbacks of 2004, being bowled out for 26 with him getting 7 for 6. I lasted 2 balls."
Anyone else played against someone playing in this match? Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to let us know!
"Cheema must be encouraging to many cricketers around the world as he's 32, didn't make his Test debut until he was 31, and isn't that tall for an opening bowler."
Hafeez's run-less spell is finally ended as Strauss nudges the first ball of his fourth over for a single, while Trott adds another off the last ball to give the off-spinner interesting-looking figures\u00a0of 4-3-2-1.
"My cynical view is that I don't think we'll see Saeed Ajmal's mystery 'teesra' throughout this series, I'm not sure it exists."
From Nick Tomlinson at the ground, TMS inbox: "You might notice two clusters of people in seats behind the wicket - being the only place where alcohol is served.... Each seat is less than \u00a320 and were cryptically advertised as having the 'all the beverages you would expect.' Taxis here less than \u00a310 for a 35 minute ride. A pint, however, will cost about that!"
"Very little rain in these parts recently," notes Henry Blofeld on TMS. ("For about the last 100 years," adds Vic Marks, who's on cracking form this morning). Trott tries to help Cheema down the leg side and is caught by the tumbling Akmal! Trott lumbers off as though he's not convinced he hit it, but doesn't call for a review - and HotSpot shows a clear edge.
Well, for all the calls for Monty Panesar to be included in the XI, England could do with the sort of obdurate batting performance shown by Monty himself on his last Test appearance when he won England the Ashes (as it turned out) by holding off Australia. But it's Kevin Pietersen in at four, and he's bouncing around like Tigger as Cheema sends one down outside off stump. Always keen to get off the mark astonishingly quickly, he clips a single to fine leg.
Cap'n Misbah's a sly old fox - immediately bringing on left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman to bowl to Kevin Pietersen, for whom left-arm spin appears to be his particular kryptonite. Rehman skips in but Pietersen carefully plays out a maiden over.
From danielmarcevans: "Not sure what Bill in Dubai [0624] is talking about. Cheapest tickets are 20dhs (\u00a33.50) per day."
Tweet us with the hashtag\u00a0#bbccricket to let us know what you think
"Pakistan were down and out for a while, their fans were really disillusioned but they've redeemed themselves now."
You can read more from Ramiz about Pakistan's renaissance on the BBC Sport website.
If you're an England fan just waking up, I'm afraid the news isn't great as Messrs Cook and Trott are already back in the hutch. Skipper Strauss is giving it a good go though, helping himself to his first boundary of the series from a slightly fortunate outside edge before steering a\u00a0two wide of mid-on. A single takes him to a watchful 17 from 33 balls.
A rather placid over from Rehman, Strauss tucks in with a single but Pietersen can't beat the infield.
"I got a call from Mohammad Amir's brother saying that he wanted to see me when he gets out of prison. I told him he was about a year too late. Perhaps they could use him as an example to others."
From simonjlambert: "I can confirm the ticket prices - I have premium tickets for Friday that cost 12 quid - bargain."
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved today
Strauss continues to help himself to a single each over, while Pietersen - having grabbed that quick single to get off the mark - shows Jonathan Trott-esque watchfulness against Cheema, only guiding the last ball of the over for one to fine leg. We've got just under three quarters of an hour until lunch.
From James, TMS inbox: "The 180 quid tickets are for the corporate areas not the ones for true fans who want a sun tan and the option to shout encouragement whilst enjoying a\u00a0seven pound pint."
On Twitter: "KP underwent intense session with spin coach Mushtaq in nets here, let's see if it pays off..."
Once more, KP is the measure of elegant defence against Rehman's left-arm twirl. Rehman's run-up is rather like a knight's move in chess, starting to the right of the umpire before skipping in front of him and making a right turn just in time to bowl left-arm round the wicket. And we get another delay as some excitable ground staff remove the sheet hiding a brightly coloured\u00a0advertising hoarding behind the bowler's arm a ball too early...
From InnoBystander: "Was chaos trying to get in - no one from tickets agency turned up until 30 mins\u00a0before game, lots of unhappy punters queuing English style."
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved, while we'd particularly like to hear from you if you're at the game!
Saeed Ajmal into the attack with his canny mixtures of off breaks and doosras. Strauss plays out five dot balls before aiming an extravagant pull shot at the last ball of the over and he's bowled!
"Strauss is normally a free-flowing player but I think he misread the length there, the ball was pushed in a little quicker than normal."
Ian Bell is the new batsman, he wouldn't have expected to be in this early, while CMJ and Ramiz Raja on TMS wonder whether Ajmal will claim the wicket came from his so-called "teesra". Mind you, Graeme Swann pointed out the other day that Shane Warne used to announce new "mystery" balls at the start of each Ashes series, get England in a right stew and while they were waiting for the "mystery" ball, take plenty of wickets with orthodox leg-spin! Meanwhile, Pietersen plays out another maiden over from Rehman.
Bell, facing his first ball,\u00a0is beaten by one which goes straight on and feathers an edge to the keeper! England all at sea here, and Ajmal's on a hat-trick!
"That was a quality delivery. I just think England aren't picking the spinners here. The DRS means you can't hide your bat behind the pad."
"With Pakistan's three-pronged spin attack in full swing (or should that be spin?), it's probably a good time to look at KP's infamous tribulations against twirlers of the left-arm persuasion. They have dismissed him 20 times in Test cricket and he averages 38 against them, compared with 52 against off-spinners and 84 against leggies."
New batsman is Eoin Morgan - England not taking the opportunity to send in a lunch watchman - and he survives the hat-trick ball before getting off the mark with a single. Ajmal then appeals for lbw against KP, and Pakistan call for a review...
Impact in line, hitting the wickets, third umpire Steve Davis gives the signal and his compatriot Bruce Oxenford raises his finger! An unbelievable session. Ajmal has figures of 3-1 (three wickets for one run) from 10 balls.
Matt Prior is the new batsman, fending a single into the leg side. Morgan gets down low and tries a paddle-sweep - the ball skies into the air but safely and they run two.
From TomStansfeld: "Just heading to the library, at least with England dropping like flies I will get revision done."
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved today
Trumpeter Billy Cooper is trying to stir the Barmy Army into action, but England are struggling to keep out the spinners here as Prior only just fends one off his pads from Rehman. Maiden over, and Pakistan's spinners' bowling figures make interesting reading. Rehman has 5-4-1-0, Ajmal has 2-1-4-3 and Hafeez has 4-3-2-1.
From Darren in Bristol: "Well, I woke up hoping to see England dominating. Boy was that wishful thinking. Pakistan dominating with spin. Why, oh why is Monty not playing?"
Adnan Akmal's wicketkeeping has been tidy today, better than his inconsistent brother Kamran, but England have a let-off when Morgan tries to get forward to Ajmal but the keeper fumbles the stumping chance. No graphic for that, I'm afraid, but England play out a second successive maiden over.
From Andrew, TMS inbox: "England acclimatising well to this new venue with some very Dubaious shots!"
Some Pakistan fans in the crowd are getting vocal, as well they might, and the 12th man brings on a second fielding helmet for a man in at silly point. Rehman's sequence of maiden overs is ended as Prior gets an edge past slip and they run three.
From Les in Abu Dhabi, TMS inbox: "Woeful performance, even at nine quid for a ticket and no traveling costs I'm thinking of staying at home!"
"Andrew Strauss talked at the toss about the batsmen having to be patient, but he didn't do that - he got out trying to get after the bowling."
Ajmal fires down another maiden to Prior. Having so many spinners does wonders for your over-rate, as India captain Mahendra Dhoni - suspended for the final Australia-India Test in Adelaide because of their slow over-rate - may testify.
On Twitter: "Reminds me of England's World Cup humbling in Sri Lanka, playing spin like deciphering a foreign language."
A rare smattering for applause for England as Morgan sweeps a single to bring up the fifty - although if you're just getting up, you're not reading this incorrectly, they have lost five wickets already. Meanwhile, Sky's stattos reckon Morgan averages 161 against spin and 20 against pace bowlers in Tests... he and Prior have four apiece. Not long to lunch.
From gregheathcote: "Perhaps Billy should take his trumpet to the crease and have a go, looks like we need some fine tuning against this spin."
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved today
Ajmal, with figures of 4-3-4-3, tosses it up to Morgan who rotates the strike well with a single. Looks like we're going to get one more over in before lunch, so that'll be 28 in the session. Of course, the over-rate has been held up slightly by those people moving behind the bowler's arm. And\u00a0by the loss of FIVE wickets...
From Duncan, TMS inbox: "If we're doing puns here... England's form has desert-ed them !"
Mohammad Hafeez in for\u00a0another twirl before lunch. Morgan steers a single, Prior plays out the rest fo the over and umpire Billy Bowden signals it's time for lunch.\u00a0Oh dear, Geoff Boycott isn't happy, he thinks Adnan Akmal should have taken that stumping... "He's caught three but dropped one."
From Charlie Connelly: "Apparently Strauss and Flower have phoned MS Dhoni and he says England can start their innings all over again."
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved today
From Ed Wilson in Leicester, TMS inbox: "I'm actually finding this return to ignominy quite comforting. Was never that comfortable with us being all conquering - although enjoyable it never really felt right. A bit like going out with a girl who you know is much better looking than you."
"Pakistan's spinners have combined figures of 17 overs, 10 maidens, 13 runs and four wickets."
While Geoff Boycott and Aggers get stuck into the England batsmen, we're going to hunt down a bit of breakfast. Despite it being the lunch interval. If you see what I mean. Keep listening to TMS and we'll be back soon.
From Andy, TMS inbox: "This is going to be huge lesson for England, not just in how to play spin but in picking a team based on the conditions and not just a perceived 'balance'."
The lunch break is probably the perfect time to read the report of Andy Murray's opening match in the Australian Open. The fourth seed was bidding to become the sole Brit to make the second round. Insomniacs are welcome to follow our live text coverage through the night before the cricket starts each day!
From PhilEaves: "England getting totally dominated? I knew that number\u00a0one Test nation thing was just a dream!"
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved
On Twitter: "England's goal has to be to get more runs than supporters in the stadium... 263 I think will do it..."
The Cricketer magazine's Andrew Miller: "A hideous morning session for England. Can't quite envisage a triple-century eighth-wicket stand turning their fortunes around this time!"
We're still 10 minutes away from the resumption here - but BBC Radio 4 Long Wave listeners are off for Yesterday in Parliament. Uninterrupted coverage continues on BBC 5 live sports extra and via the BBC Sport website (for UK users).
From BPCC1stXI: "At least KP will have plenty of time to get in the nets and practise his twirlers, presume he was picked as the second spinner?"
Tweet us with the hashtag\u00a0#bbccricket if you wish to lament England's lack of a second front-line spinner...
From Gary Jones, TMS inbox: "On a train to London for work. We have lost wickets at Market Harborough, Kettering, Bedford (2) and Luton. Which makes Wellingborough the only station stop where no wicket was lost and I thank the town of Wellingborough for that. Bedford however has a lot to answer for."
Any tennis fans unhappy at BBC 5 live sports extra being allocated to the cricket may wish to follow Aimee Lewis's Aussie Open live text, from which you can hear web-only tennis commentary from the team in Melbourne. We're nearly ready to resume in Dubai.
From Darren in Cornwall: "Here we go again. England have worked so hard to get to the top spot in world cricket, now after one bad session all the doom and gloom merchants are gonna show their faces!"
I think they've started a minute or so early, but Eoin Morgan gets England under way after lunch by pushing off-spinner Saeed Ajmal for a single. His watchful partner Matt Prior sees off the rest of the over - the Sussex stumper not threatening any broken windows at this stage.
Former England all-rounder Derek Pringle, now of the Daily Telegraph: "Ball not turning but England batting as if Beelzebub himself was bowling - too timid."
With the Dubai ground known as "the ring of fire" because of the floodlights in the rim of the roof, CMJ on TMS has already dubbed it "the Johnny Cash Stadium". Seamer Umar Gul takes up the attack for Pakistan, but he will have to "walk the line" pretty carefully after umpire Billy Bowden has a quiet word with him about running on the wicket in his follow-through, although stopping short of a formal warning.
From Mark Lovick, Bedworth, TMS inbox: "In reply to Gary Jones [0837], Bedford of course is where Monty went to school - must be a jinx as he's not in the team!"
Prior confidently drives Ajmal through the covers, it's half-stopped by Aizaz Cheema in a catching position but they're able to run two. CMJ feels Cheema reminds him a bit of Sussex's former Kent seamer Amjad Khan\u00a0("a skiddy seamer and useful user of the wrist"), who picked up that one Test cap in the Windies three years ago.
From writchi: "Re: Derek Pringle's comment about Beelzebub [0846] - didn't realise he was a decent player? Maybe he's getting confused with AB DeVil-liers?"
Fire (and brimstone) us over any more such diabolical cricketing puns with the hashtag #bbccricket
Morgan beats the man at point with a confident, square-driven four, and he and Prior are starting to pick up the ones and twos pretty well against Gul - they've already equalled the highest partnership of the innings. There may not be too many fans in the crowd, but the TV cameras have picked out a chicken in the crowd. (Not a real one, despite CMJ's initial thoughts, possibly papier-mache).
"If you can't read the doosra, the pitch is slow enough that you should be able to play off the back foot and play\u00a0it from the pitch."
CMJ purrs over a "shot of the day" contender from Morgan as he cuts Ajmal for four, while there are a few more smiles on the faces of the England players (including those already dismissed) than one might have expected after that morning session.
"The new ball should do something every morning here, so it's important that England bat out as much of the day as they can. The next five Tests will be very important for Eoin Morgan to really stamp his place in the team - he's renowned as a good player of spin, but can he do like Graham Thorpe did for England?"
On Twitter:\u00a0"England's batsmen feasting on morsels of fast bowling like a familiar dish from childhood."
Gul bowls round the wicket to Morgan, who's still scoring most of his runs square of the wicket like a hockey player might. Pakistan's fielding has been a little scrappy since the interval, one of them lets that straight through him and they run two. Come on, even Monty can do the long barrier... Morgan hooks at a bouncer and they run one. Prior adds another, he's finally into double figures.
"Michael Vaughan came into breakfast wearing shorts, they took one look at his knees and turned him away!"
From Tim Price, TMS inbox: "Re: Gary Jones [0837]. Perhaps you should pick a train with fewer stops? We\u2019d lose fewer wickets! Here\u2019s hoping you won\u2019t be able to pick up TMS on the Tube. A few stops on the Victoria line and we\u2019re done for!"
A few of England's batsmen have been playing down the Victoria line today, when Pakistan's spinners\u00a0have been bowling down the Piccadilly!
Ajmal rattles through another over of off-spin, the England pair take a single apiece. Morgan has 21 from 41 balls, Prior has a more watchful 11 from 47.
On Twitter: "During TMS tea interval at 1040 GMT,\u00a0Aggers will be joined by @billbarmytrump [trumpeter Billy Cooper]. He'll be paying tribute to @TheBarmyArmy legend George Summerside."
Morgan nudges Gul for a single, Prior is a little fidgety but an on-drive brings him a single. Morgan helps himself to another one down the leg side and Blowers has noticed "a bird - not a pigeon or a sparrow but it definitely just flew across the ground," before debating the quality of Dubai's minibuses with Michael Vaughan.
From cypressdesigns: "Re: devilish cricketers [0856]. Could we get another Saffa in our ranks and call up Ashwell Prince of Darkness?"
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved
After a single from Morgan, Prior has a big heave-ho - described by Blowers as "a bit of a windy woof" - playing and missing at Ajmal, but a single rotates the strike again, and suddenly England seem to be playing with the sort of patience the pitch has demanded today.
On Twitter: "Monty's on the field! - unfortunately wearing the 12th man's bib..."
From Tom in Bedford, TMS inbox: "Re: Bedford being the cause of English wickets (0837), can I apologise to all English fans on behalf of Bedford, losing wickets was not our intention!)
Aizaz Cheema - we're now scrutinising his action to see if CMJ's Amjad Khan comparison bears fruit - replaces Gul in the attack, and the rather gangly Gul has to do some chasing in the field as Prior confidently off-drives for two.
From JamesaHawkins: "England batting collapse and problems on South West Trains. Should have stayed in bed."
You've summed up much of my childhood and a fair chunk of my working life there, James! Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved
"Barely a ball has spun here, to be honest."
Morgan aims a pull through mid-wicket as he gets down on one knee, is given out lbw and calls for a review...
The DRS isn't going to save Morgan here, he was hit on the back leg and it was going to hit the middle of middle stump. A case of using the review because it was there (and he's the last recognised batsman), rather than because there was any doubt about the decision...
"Morgan's had a bit of a brainstorm there. It wasn't a doosra or a teesra, it was a straight ball he was trying to slog over mid-wicket."
Broad comes forward to his first ball, Ajmal yells an appeal, the umpire shakes his head but Pakistan call for a review...
He was a long way forward there... it's close\u00a0but it's signalled as "umpire's call" so the original decision stands and Broad survives.
So, both sides have one unsuccessful review remaining, but Broad's struggling to get bat on ball here, and when he finally connects he guides it straight to the fielder at square leg.\u00a0Another appeal off the last ball of the over... nothing doing.
"You may look at the scoreboard and think the ball's turning around corners but it honestly hasn't."
"There's a serious point to be made here - by and large, most wickets for spinners, and fast bowlers for that matter, come from batsmen's errors rather than unplayable deliveries. The only one to have been\u00a0got out today was Bell, because it was his first ball. The rest have all fallen to straight balls."
Pakistan continue their "spin from one end/seam from the other" tactic as Prior steers Cheema the Seamer for a single. Broad is finally off the mark with a lofted drive which sails over the non-striker and down to long-off for three. Prior adds another to take his score to 17.
From Ade: "Batman has the Joker, Superman has Lex Luthor, England's top\u00a0six have spinners who don't spin."
Ajmal has 4-17 from his first 11 overs, but his figures take a bit of\u00a0a dent as Prior steers a single before Broad punches a four over mid-on. Is this a deliberate counter-attacking plan, with less than 100 on the board?
From JP in London, TMS inbox: "Re: 0837 - Any chance of Wellingborough hosting our home Test matches?"
Prior and Broad help themselves to a couple of singles against Cheema as Aggers and Vic debate Ajmal's semi-mythical "teesra" which the TV folk think they might have spotted. Billy B signals for the drinks cart to shuffle on.
And in response to a couple of tweets, I'm afraid the\u00a0video scorecard is only available for home games (depending on availability, and what else is running on the Red Button). In the same way, TMS commentary is available worldwide for England's home games but only in the UK for away games. R4 Long Wave listeners are also about to get the Daily Service - so stick with 5 live sports extra and the BBC website for uninterrupted commentary.
From SammyGrady: "So in true recession style England bought all their runs on credit in 2011... and now we have a team full of defaulters!"
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved today
From Sam from Newark: "Time for Stuart Broad to beat his all time best score vs Pakistan!"
Now if I said that it'd be called a commentator's curse...
First ball after the drinks break, Broad slog-sweeps just\u00a0like Morgan did, and is given out just like Morgan was, and calls for a review just like Morgan did...
... and that's missing a straight ball just\u00a0like Morgan did, and that's out just like Morgan was! Ajmal has 5-22 from 12.1 overs.
Graeme Swann is the new batsman, and nearly edges his first ball to slip but it's taken on the bounce. Knowing Swann\u00a0likes to hit out in most circumstances, there are men three-quarters of the way back at long-on and deep mid-wicket. Swann is hit on the pad but survives a largely muted appeal. (A mute Swann, if you will).
From WebbyMUFC: "Sam Newark [0942],\u00a0Commentator's curse...."
Should have seen that coming really... feel free to join in with any jinxing of England's players with the hashtag #bbccricket
Cheema still has plenty of energy as he keeps the bearded Prior on his toes. Just a single from the over.
First mention of "the corridor of uncertainty" all series (get your Boycott Bingo cards ready) as Boycs praises South Africa's new seam bowlers Vernon Philander and Marchant de Lange. Prior steers Ajmal for a single, Swann steers a four through the covers (taking England into three figures) and lifts anotlher over mid-off, but it's heart-in-mouth time when Pakistan appeal for a catch at short leg without success.
A poignant moment in the stadium as the Barmy Army pay tribute to their legendary former member George "The Podge" Summerside, who died earlier this month. The Barmy Army trumpeter plays \u201cThe Last Post\u201d and then there is a minute's applause - with even Matt Prior joining in. Cricket fans have also been paying tributes to George on an online forum.
"With Ajmal bowling to Swann, it seems as good a time as any to pose the question of which of them truly deserves to be recognised as the world's finest spinner. The rankings say Swann and the England man has produced the goods over a longer period but last year Ajmal was inspired. In eight Tests, he took 50 wickets at 23.86, while Swann took 27 at 34.22 in the same number of matches. Ajmal played on more favourable pitches of course, but let's see how Swann gets on bowling here and then resume the debate..."
From daveavfcg: "Just woke up,what the hell is happening in Dubai?"
You're not dreaming\u00a0Dave. Tweet us\u00a0with the hashtag\u00a0#bbccricket to join the fun
Prior and Swann plunder a single apiece from Cheema, I'm still surprised Pakistan haven't tried spin from both ends since before lunch.
"If you're listening, save up your money and see which of Dubai and Abu Dhabi takes your fancy. They're both very different."
Ajmal wheels through another over, that's his 15th in an unchanged spell. Swann nurdles a single, Prior helps himself to a couple of twos and the off-spinner has 5-36 - his best Test haul being 6-42 against West Indies in Guyana. Nelson on the scoreboard...
From domesticdad: "TMS, like seeing an old familiar friend in the corner of your local. Wonderful."
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved today
Swann gets England off Nelson with a single, Prior firmly drives past gully for four - remarkably, that's his first boundary today from his 87th delivery faced.
From Henry Smith, TMS inbox: "This isn't a huge surprise. Pakistan have been very hard to beat of recent times (they haven't lost a series since the defeat in England) and have a solid captain with a group of young, ambitious cricketers. England, frankly, look like they simply expected to come out and bat out the day without even trying."
Swann blasts Ajmal for four past mid-off - already, this is the second largest stand of the innings. Ajmal responds by going round the wicket to alter his angle of attack and sends down four dot balls.
From Trevor Kirk, TMS inbox: "Apparently the good people of Dubai don\u2019t understand The Flintstones, however the people of Abu Dhabi do."
England off-spinner Danni Wyatt: "Boys, what's going on? Just seen the score! 100s each for Swanny and Prior, here we go."
We have two spinners bowling in tandem for the first time since before lunch as slow left-armer Abdur Rehman sends down a maiden over to Prior.
On Twitter: "Only Blowers could get a camel into the commentary having *not* seen one..."
But the twin spin attack doesn't last as Ajmal's 16-over spell is halted and Umar Gul returns. As Aggers notes, he's a master of reverse swing but we've barely seen any movement (swing or spin) today. And there's more delays while people move around at the edge of the sightscreen - possibly a lady carrying a tea tray. Swann isn't happy. Maiden over.
Meanwhile, Aggers and Michael Vaughan wonder whether England's apparent weakness against spin - including sweeping - might prompt India to look more favourably on the DRS when England tour later this year...
A stat from my colleague Jon Barbuti: what have been England's worst totals since January 2000 when batting in the first innings of a Test? Well, since you ask, they're 102 against Australia at Headingley in 2009, 139 v South Africa in Durban (2004) and 159 against the Aussies in Melbourne (2006). Unless things improve this innings will take a place on the podium.
Having taken on Ajmal by hitting boundaries, Prior and Swann opt for careful accumulation against Rehman - a single and a gentle\u00a0three to fine leg\u00a0added to the total but no risks taken.
From Matt in London, TMS inbox: "The strength of this squad is that a couple of players always stand up and are counted. With so many sat back in the hutch, we\u2019re already looking for Swann and Prior to register on the abacus\u2026 What\u2019s an acceptable total from here? 160?"
Paul Newman of the Daily Mail: "Some good crease occupation from Prior and Swann. This is what Strauss was advocating before this series. Patience in an old-fashioned Test."
That's Swann's fourth four as he sends a loose delivery from\u00a0Gul crashing through the covers. England's other batsmen have only managed eight boundaries between them. He has 22 and is fast catching Prior, who has 31.
The England fans are starting to find their voice as Prior steers Rehman for three, before Swann lofts him over mid-on for four - while Aggers tells Michael Vaughan of how the Barmy Army's negotiating skills apparently managed to reduce the price of a beer from \u00a36.50 to \u00a34.50 at one establishment yesterday...
"Don't forget the podcast after the close of play today. I think Geoffrey will be coming in off his long run after that batting display... we may get through the full bingo card in the first two minutes."
We'll have time for one more over before tea... and at this rate, despite plenty of spin, we'll have a bit of overtime in order to get the full 90 overs in today. I blame that tea-tray-wielding lady from the 51st over, that wasted several minutes. After a single from Prior, Gul has a half-hearted lbw shout against Swann but persuades captain Misbah-ul-Haq to call for a review...
I try to remain even-tempered on these live texts, but that's the biggest waste of a DRS review I've ever seen. Pitched nearly a foot outside leg stump... Misbah shakes his head sadly, as well he might. So neither side have any reviews left in this innings.
And that's tea - Swann adds a single, Prior top-edges a two and England walk off with Prior on 37 (from 99 balls) and Swann on 27 (from 48) - an invaluable stand of 47, without which they would be in a much worse state.
From Chags, TMS inbox: "No need for panic, this England side has plenty of grit, character, class and steel to come out of a difficult session although over three Tests they need to work out, fast, how to play spin better. Ajmal is world class (saw him at Worcester last summer and he bamboozled all the county players). 180 a decent total from here?"
"This England\u00a0team has not faced a great spinner yet until this Test. If they don't learn quickly, Ajmal could win the series for Pakistan."
Right, keep listening to TMS as Aggers will be speaking to Barmy Army trumpeter Billy Cooper during the tea interval - he'll be paying tribute to Barmy Army legend George Summerside, as the Barmies have been doing today.
From Alex Ewing, Plymouth: "We've definitely got to be the number\u00a0one country in the world for pessimism! All those negative tweets out there... Let's get behind our boys!"
"Pakistan have got to find a way to dislodge this partnership - Swann managed to hit Ajmal out of the attack with some aggressive shots. You can tell a top quality side like England when the tail-enders fight for every run."
From Carol, TMS inbox: "Did Aggers say that was Pakistan's session? England put on 80+ runs for the loss of two wickets? If that had been the morning session, it would have been England's!"
Abdur Rehman continues with his orthodox left-arm spin as we begin the evening session, He's got a helmeted close fielder in at silly point, but Swann turns a single off his legs, Prior rotates the strike well and Swann continues his aggressive approach with an inside-out drive for four through wide long-off - that's England's first half-century stand of the day.
From Paul in Wigan: "I don't see what all the fuss is about, the tail will reach 200 then Swanny will tear them apart. Let's have a bit of faith in the number\u00a0one team in the world."
Gul's off as Ajmal's on to see whether his second spell can be as devastating as the start of his first was. Prior and Swann are back on the ones and twos.
From GregThompson7: "Poor start by England but our bowling attack is more than capable of subjecting Pakistan to the same fate."
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to let us know what you think
Single from Prior, then Swann has to defend as Rehman whistles through his over - there's a half-hearted appeal for lbw but with neither side having any reviews left, the umpire's decision is final. As some people believe it should be in any event...
From Mark, TMS inbox: "Mission Impossible 4 was just filmed in Dubai. Is this the making of Mission Impossible 5 already?" (other film franchises are available)
Prior pushes Ajmal for a single off his legs to bring up England's 150. He's up to 41 with Swann on 34 as England push towards respectability.
"I think Pakistan will be pleased Monty Panesar is not playing as historically they haven't done well against him, and struggle against left-arm spinners."
Rehman completely deceives Swann and bowls him with one that drifts, turns well and hits the top of off stump!
"If I were listening at home, I'd be blaming that stupid commentator [himself] who was talking in the last over about how Swann should score a Test century at some point!"
Chris Tremlett is the new batsman, I seem to recall he wasn't the most comfortable against spin when he made his debut back in 2007, but he's a tall chap and gets a big stride in against Rehman, whose appeal for lbw is turned down.
Prior nudges Ajmal for a single, he's up to 43 and must have half an eye on what would be his 19th Test fifty. Tremlett gets an edge, via his pad, past short leg for a single to get him off the mark. Prior prods another single, and the close fielders move in for Tremlett, who sees out the over.
Prior unleashes a fluent sweep shot - much better than those that did for Morgan and Broad - against Rehman to move to 48, before helping another one down the leg side, the batsmen scurry back for two and that's his 19th Test fifty (he also has six centuries) from 115 balls. A single off the last ball ensures he retains the strike.
From Jack, TMS inbox: "Is Tremlett using one of those funny little autograph bats or is it just perspective?"
From AndrewJ79: "History repeating? It was a series against Pakistan that deflated the post-2005 Ashes bubble! England derailed again by Pakistan in 2012"
Tweet us with the hashtag\u00a0#bbccricket to have your say
Prior takes a single off the third ball of Ajmal's over, Tremlett - as befits a man with seven first-class fifties - resolutely sees out the rest of the over.
From Sam, Portsmouth: "What we're forgetting, with this system of wickets off spinners who don't spin, we have one of those in\u00a0Pietersen to turn the match on its head?"
I don't think Pietersen's ever struggled to turn the ball. He can't always land it, though...
Prior blasts Rehman for four wide of extra cover, but can't get the last ball past the infield as he looks for the single with which to farm the strike.
From rockyreddevil: "Blooming marvellous 50 by Prior, coming in at a horrid time and wickets still falling around him, bravo Sir, bravo!"
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket if you wish to praise Matt Prior or indeed anyone else!
Tremlett doesn't look like he's picking Ajmal's doosra, but he's doing his best to hold an end up for Prior, digging out a yorker-length delivery from Ajmal. Pakistan are starting to appeal for anything against the tail-ender, but the grinning Bruce (good name for an Aussie umpire) Oxenford isn't convinced. Tremlett plays out a maiden over - "bully for him," enthuses Blowers on TMS.
Some attritional cricket from England - Prior carves a single, Tremlett sees off the last two deliveries, and Aggers on TMS thinks the ball's started to turn more in the last half-hour.
From AndyFulton_lfc: "Fill the side with wicketkeepers and spinners, we'd score hundreds - those batsmen are rubbish!"
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved
Prior is certainly not going to turn down any runs that are there, forcing the second ball of Ajmal's over for a single - but then Tremlett perishes when a doosra flicks the top of his back pad, and his 18-ball innings is over.
"As a non-batsman, I'd be looking to play Ajmal as a leg-spinner and use the pad as a second line of defence - but you can't do that because of the DRS."
From Tim Milford, TMS inbox: "So, we play an extra batsman (Morgan) in order to add depth to the batting line up, yet it is Prior that stands up when the chips are down and the top- and middle-order have failed. How long until we give Prior a deserved promotion to six\u00a0and field an extra bowler? We could do with Monty in this match!"
The "ring of fire" is unleashed at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (aka the Johnny Cash Stadium) - with floodlights all around the roof - as James Anderson joins Prior at the crease. And true to form, with the lights on, the sun comes out again!
A moment of hesitation between the batsmen as Prior dashes a single and sends Anderson back when the number 11 had hoped for a second. And the Lancashire paceman unleashes a lovely cover drive for three. Prior even manages a single off the last ball to keep the strike.
Prior sweeps at Ajmal, gets a top edge into the grille of his helmet and removes it to check it over. Prior is helping himself to whatever he can take now the last pair are together, steering Ajmal for a couple of twos and a single. He has 65.
From tommypmills: "England are the number one team in the world and have achieved so with four bowlers. Knee-jerk reaction after one innings, really?"
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to join the debate
Another powerful inside-out shot from Prior, knocking Rehman around for ones and twos before Anderson gets the traditional cheers that accompany tail-enders' runs when he leg-glances a couple before slog-sweep-smashing a four - enacting successfully the shot with which fellow left-handers Morgan and Broad perished today.
"Prior's played very straight - you can tell from when he first walked out there that his plan was to play Ajmal straight."
Ajmal bowls round the wicket to Prior, but he can't get the first five balls of the over away, tries to sweep the sixth but steers it straight to the man saving one at fine leg. Radio 4 LW listeners are whisked off to the Shipping Forecast, will England still be there when they return?
From Nicholas Barnett, TMS inbox: "Re: the ring of fire, I seem to remember the 1930s Highbury stadium had its lights on the rim of the roof, not on pylons."
Mohammad Hafeez into the attack with his right-arm off-spin which we haven't seen for a while today. Having removed Alastair Cook, can he pull the same trick with fellow left-hander Anderson? Not initially - the number 11 steers a single square of the wicket, Prior adds another to move to 69. Anderson has 12 and R4 LW listeners are back from the high seas.
From HK, TMS inbox: "I've been hearing Aggers and others talk about Saeed Ajmal's 'teesra' special delivery and its supposedly unusual sounding name. This would be quite amusing or annoying to over a billion speakers of Hindi/Urdu, who use the words 'doosra' and 'teesra' everyday. It's simple: doosra means second and teesra means third."
Prior drills a single to long-off but Ajmal picks up his career-best seventh wicket when Anderson prods forward and is trapped lbw.
Saeed Ajmal's final bowling figures: 24.3-7-55-7. In fact, Pakistan's combined spin bowling figures are 48.3-15-112-9, with the seamers taking 24-4-78-1.
On Twitter: "Joining TMS during lunch tomorrow (around 0800 GMT) will be Haroon Lorgat, the outgoing chief executive of the ICC. Any questions?"
From PepperJ17: "From 43-5 to 192 all out.. .not a bad recovery led by Prior. Cue 5 for Swann and a first innings lead!"
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved today
Ready to resume - Pakistan will have 15 overs to face before the close.
Jimmy Anderson gets a couple to whistle past the right-handed Mohammad Hafeez's outside edge, some encouraging swing as he completes a maiden over.
"I wonder whether if Bresnan had been fit, because he can bat, they could have taken a chance, dropped a batsman\u00a0and played Monty as a second spinner."
Chris Tremlett takes the second over to the left-handed Taufeeq Umar... and we have our first no-ball of the match as the tall paceman oversteps. Hafeez is off the mark with\u00a0a single.
The Mirror's Dean Wilson: "Wisdom is never to judge a pitch until both sides have batted on it."
Captain Andrew Strauss applauds his bowler from first slip as once more Anderson gets the ball to leave Hafeez's forward prod. The opener adds a two as Pakistan maintain their sedate start.
"I've got no head for heights at all. My hotel room's on the 30th floor so even looking out of the window's a job in itself."
Tremlett keeps a good line and length against Taufeeq, but the left-hander unleashes a beaut of an off-drive wide of mid-off from the last ball of the over and that's four. "Kicking horse time," enthuses Blowers on TMS.
From xcroker: "This is the 400th time in the history of Test cricket that a side batting first has scored less than 200. Of the previous 399, only 75 had gone on to win the match."
Tweet us with the hashtag #bbccricket to get involved today
Hafeez steers Anderson for a four through third man, but otherwise it's another tight over from the Lancastrian. We're starting to wonder when England will turn to Swann between now and the close.
Pakistan finding it slightly easier against Tremlett than Anderson - Taufeeq nudges a single, Hafeez guides a two to third man as the entire slip cordon gives chase, and blasts the last ball of the over for four past mid-on.
From a sad Brookie and Goony on the way back to London from Sunderland: "Nice to hear a tribute was made to George Summerside, about 750 odd at the church and another 100 had to stand outside. A fitting tribute to one of England's best loved fans. Hopefully England can do him proud with the\u00a0ball."
Now it's Anderson's turn to get a bit of tap as Taufeeq and Hafeez both scamper threes - Hafeez has 16, Taufeeq has eight and it looks like it's time for Broad.
Stuart Broad into the attack in place of Tremlett, whose first three overs went for 13. Hafeez plays out a maiden over. And it's pointed out to me that despite 48.3 overs of spin today, we're still not going to finish on time, as there are still seven overs left after this one. And we can't blame it all on that woman with the tray wandering around behind the bowler's arm...
From RyanKnight19: "I'm sorry, the amount of people ripping into our batting line-up is pathetic. Literally the first time it's failed for\u00a0two years!"
Anderson continues, but Taufeeq's into double figures with a dabbed cut shot for four. As we veer into overtime, with six overs left today, a reminder that as well as the regular TMS podcast with Aggers and Boycs, you'll be able to hear highlights of today's play throughout the afternoon from 1400 GMT on BBC 5 live sports extra.
As CMJ on TMS wonders whether England's tallest paceman should call his house "Tremlett Towers", play is gradually winding to a close. Nice and tight from Broad, Hafeez works a single off his legs.
"England need to learn from the way Matt Prior batted today. This team's not played many Tests on the subcontinent and not faced much top-class spin bowling."
With five overs left in the day, Graeme Swann's into the attack - but Hafeez immediately takes him on, getting down on one knee and spanking him over mid-off for four! But Hafeez is no less competent in defence, seeing off the rest of the over.
Substitute fielder Ravi Bopara gets a run-out - we think Tremlett has left the field - while CMJ makes a bid for Boycott Bingo fame himself by remarking that Taufeeq was "playing it with a stick of rhubarb" against Broad, while reminiscing about how he once won a gold bar for being man of the match for a Cricketer magazine XI here in Dubai, only to be told he was expected to share it. ("How do you share a gold bar?" asks Michael Vaughan). Broad sends down a maiden over.
Three overs to go, and if his Herculean efforts for Pakistan weren't enough today, Saeed Ajmal is padded up as night-watchman! But he may not be needed tonight as Hafeez plays out a maiden from Swann in the antepenultimate over of the day.
Taufeeq guides Broad for a two to leg, then has to duck a bouncer from the Notts paceman. The left-hander plays and misses at the last two deliveries, Broad raises his eyes to the heavens but that'll be him done for the day. Umpires have a chat - surely they can't be discussing the light with one over to go and the "ring of fire" in full operation?
Last over. England look like they're offering Hafeez a single so they can bowl at the left-hander. He takes it off the second ball of the over. Three men round the bat, plus a silly mid-off, for Taufeeq - but Swann lets fly with a rank full toss which the left-hander despatches through mid-wicket for four. Taufeeq sees out the rest of the over... and that's undoubtedly Pakistan's day.
"England have got to learn from today - if they do they've got half a chance, but if they don't then Ajmal will win the series for Pakistan. They look a fit, athletic team and are going to be a tough nut to crack.\u00a0This is a good pitch, a\u00a0par score here's probably 400, but England got themselves out playing some poor shots. They need early wickets tomorrow, simple as that."
Aggers and Geoff Boycott are now reviewing the day - it'll be available as the TMS podcast later (while you can have a go at Boycott Bingo - Aggers has tweeted a link to a new card based on the old one), and don't forget there's highlights on BBC 5 live sports extra throughout the afternoon from 1400 GMT.
From JonHorrill: "Bad day for England, there's always tomorrow. Never judge a Test from the first day."
You can continue the debate with the hashtag #bbccricket
Well, that was an interesting first day's play - if England are going to remain as the number one Test side for the rest of this bumper year of Test cricket, they're certainly going to have to bat better than they did today. Sam Sheringham's match report is already there for your delectation.
Thanks for all your emails, texts and tweets - I'll be back at about 0530 GMT again tomorrow morning to take you through day two. Until then, do listen to the podcast and the highlights - and enjoy the rest of your day.
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