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By Sam Sheringham
Good morning, good afternoon or goodnight wherever you are. Day two of the second Test almost upon us, in what is turning out to be a fascinating series between Pakistan and England. After losing the first Test in ignominious fashion in Dubai, England responded well on day one in Abu Dhabi to reduce the hosts to 256-7. They will be looking to wrap up the tail early on the second morning, but face a formidable obstacle in the form of Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who is 17 runs away from a fourth Test century. We are 30 minutes from lift-off.
On Twitter: "Morning all. Lovely day. Big team talk has just broken up. Long lecture by Flower."
I'm not surprised Andy Flower has saved some wise words for this morning. It feels like a really big day for England as they look to prove themselves as the world's number one Test side. As Jonathan Agnew points out in his column, we won't really know how to assess the Pakistan total until England bat on this pitch, and the key factor will be how they contend with the spinners on a wicket that was offering plenty of assistance to Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann.
From scotttwinning: "Let's hope the top 6 in England's line-up watched the horror movie of the last Test and learnt a few of Ajmal's magic tricks."
"Elsewhere in the world of cricket, if you were waiting for India icon Sachin Tendulkar's 100th international century, you'll have to wait a little longer - he made 25 in the fourth Test against Australia in Adelaide before becoming one of Peter Siddle's five victims. Virat Kohli has just reached his century but India are struggling at 243-8 in reply to Australia's 604-7 declared. Meanwhile, across the Tasman Sea in Napier (the ground where Andrew Strauss made 177 to save his Test career), New Zealand are 331-5 after the first day of their only Test against Zimbabwe, with captain Ross Taylor 111 not out."
On Twitter: "Morning! Henry Blofeld has gone for the yellow trousers today. I'd say daffodil, but he's a Norwich City fan so it would have to be canary."
"It's a massive day. We think England had a good day yesterday but we won't know until they bat. It is all about how they play Ajmal and Rehman and whether they can occupy the crease. If each batsman can overcome their first half then they need to rotate the strike. I'm sure Andy Flower said to them - "which one of you lot is going to stick your hand up and get a hundred?" England need a first-innings lead because you wouldn't want to chase many batting last on this pitch."
The TMS boys are back in the box after yesterday's robot-monkey inspired merriment. Aggers reveals that he was just sipping a glass of water in the press box when Ian Botham rocked up a dug him in the ribs, prompting said water to spill all over the shop. Meanwhile, here's Lord Boycott's frank assessment of the task facing England today...
"If they mess up today, bye-bye series."
Right then, the players are out and about in the Abu Dhabi sunshine. Three more wickets to get for England, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann two away from five-fors, Misbah 17 from tonnage. Time for some Test match cricket...
Runs straight away as Misbah tucks Anderson's first delivery off his hips for a single. That exposes Ajmal for the rest of the over but he sees it out with the only hairy moment an uppish fend on the leg side, but it drops short of the fielders. Broad will resume from t'other end.
"India have been bowled out for 272\u00a0in Adelaide, with Virat Kohli last out for 116. But despite leading by 332, Australia have opted not to enforce the follow-on, thus sparing the tourists a third successive innings defeat."
Broad raps Misbah on the back pad. Steve Davis raises the finger. Looks out to me but Misbah is sending it upstairs...
Huge breakthrough for England from the 10th ball of the day. Once again, Broad gets one to nip back off the seam and Misbah is struck on his back pad in front of middle stump.
The tail is not just exposed, it's flapping about in the breeze saying 'hit me, hit me.' Broad does his best and almost rips one through Umar Gul's defences.
Straight and full and Ajmal is nowhere near it. That is well and truly plumb.
Two balls later, it's all over as Junaid Khan is surprised by a short one, the ball striking the shoulder of his bat and looping at head height to Swann at second slip.
"England will set off with something to bat for - it's gone better than they could possibly have expected.\u00a0Whipping out the tail like that\u00a0will give them impetus that they can bat to win the game\u00a0rather than save the game. It'll be interesting to see how they cope after what happened in Dubai - there will be gremlins in the minds of the top six batsmen."
Now then, has that woken you up? Quite literally the perfect the start from England as they took three wickets in 16 balls this morning, with Pakistan only adding one run to their overnight score. That last wicket was the first to fall to catch, with all the other nine either bowled or leg-before. The adrenalin doth flow, can England match their fine bowling display with the bat?
From Christopher, TMS inbox: "Keeping updated from the watchhouse of a police station in New Zealand, anyone top that?"
From walter_joe: "Only one other chap in the library here, nearly jumped out of his skin when I broke the silence over the Misbah wicket."
From Gareth in Hoddesdon: "I decided to do a hard weights circuit after each wicket. Bit sore but happy."
Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook are striding out together for a landmark 100th time as an England opening pair. More on that to follow. How soon will Pakistan turn to tormentor-in-chief Saeed Ajmal? I reckon we'll have a token four overs of seam and then spin, spin, spin...
"Strauss and Cook have become the fourth pair of batsmen to open together for 100 or more innings in Test cricket. The other three are West Indies legends Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes (148), Sri Lanka's Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya (118), and Australia's old firm of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer (113)."
A quiet start all round as Strauss allows himself a good look at the pitch by seeing out an Umar Gul maiden. A few blocks, a couple of leaves and England's reply is up and running.
From Nigel, TMS inbox: "I'm riveted to my laptop in a village on a small island in Tonga."
Left-arm seamer Junaid Khan, who boasts a first-class bowling average of 22.41, is Gul's new-ball partner. Cook gets England's score ticking along with a push into the covers for a single. Then Strauss opens the face and drives into a gap for two. Enjoying hearing where you are all following us from, just seen emails from Kosovo, Shanghai and Tokyo in our in-tray. Remember it's tms@bbc.co.uk with For Sam Sheringham as your subject, or you can tweet me @samsheringham, or send a text to 81111 (UK).
The first boundary of the innings is a textbook pull shot from Cook, who rolls his hands over the ball and catapults it to the fence. "The witching hour will come when the ball is thrown to Ajmal," says Henry Blofeld.
From Nigel, TMS inbox: "Glued to the live text on a copper mine in DR Congo."
Thanks Nigel, delighted to hear you can get wifi in a copper mine in Congo. I'm assuming you are a different Nigel from the one who just emailed us from "a small island in Tonga". Otherwise, that would be cheeky, and against the spirit of cricket. Out in the middle, Cook pulls another short ball behind square, but Gul is quick in the chase and keeps them to two.
"Pakistan need to draw Cook playing forward - he's happy pulling the ball, they need to make him drive through the off side, but they haven't bowled the right lengths so far today."
From Lee in Anchorage, TMS inbox: "I'm in a cabin in Alaska, explaining cricket (again) to my beautiful Alaskan wife."
Gul beats Cook all ends up as the England batsman goes reaching for the ball outside his off peg. A diving scramble from stumper Akmal prevents four leg byes. But even he can't prevent another wayward delivery from running away for four byes down the leg side.
From Andy (I mean Nigel): "Keeping half an eye on the live text whilst feeding the sharks in my secret volcano lair."
I was one over out in my token seam estimate. It has been five overs, not four, but now we have spin in the form of Mohammad Hafeez, who removed Cook in the first innings in Dubai. In fact 80% of his 22 Test wickets have been lefties apparently so no wonder he's brought in before Ajmal. Cook misses a sweep shot from the last ball and Akmal whips the bails off for a stumping. The third umpire takes a look but his foot was comfortably back behind the line. Here comes Ajmal...
Michael Vaughan says it feels like a wicket could fall at any moment as Strauss nervously keeps out Ajmal's first over, without ever looking convincing. They scamper a single from the last ball so the skipper keeps the strike.
From Mike, TMS inbox: "I\u2019m sitting on the edge of the Longomontanus crater in the moon\u2019s southern hemisphere \u2013 great view."
Hafeez rattles through an over in the blink of an eye, with Strauss once again taking a single from the last ball, as if Cookie were Monty Panesar in disguise and he was desperately trying to keep him off the strike.
"All over for the day in Adelaide - Australia finished on 50-3, their inexperienced top three didn't make many runs again but Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke - who both made double centuries in the first innings - are at the crease. Having declined to enforce the follow-on, the Aussies have an overall\u00a0lead of 382."
Lovely stroke and an important statement from Strauss as he carefully watches an Ajmal delivery and drives him square for four runs. I can't remember England doing that many times in Dubai.
From Small Nigel, TMS inbox: "Operating the stump cam in the middle wicket at the Sheikh Zayed Ground."
Cook flicks one off his toes through square leg for a single as England's openers continue to play themselves in against this probing Pakistan spin axis.
From JB: "I'm listening via an intricate series of string and paper cups in a cupboard under the stairs of my prefab in North Korea."
On Twitter: "Joining Aggers for a 'View from the Boundary' at lunch on TMS (at 0800 GMT) will be Oscar-winning film producer Stephen Evans. He produced films such as The Madness of King George, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and The Wings of the Dove."
As in Dubai, there is not a huge amount of turn but from Ajmal, but England are treating each delivery like a hand grenade with their name on it.\u00a0 Cook sees out a maiden from Ajmal before Strauss does the same to Hafeez. It's a drinks break and welcome respite for the England duo from this intense examination.
Cook aims a cut at Ajmal and Akmal appeals for a caught behind but the umpire says no and Akmal does not want to use up a review. Either way, it was a bit scrappy from Cook. Third maiden in a row.
From Martin in Yorkshire: "Aye, well I\u2019m following the cricket in shoe box in middle of road, with 150 others, after coming back from working 24 hours at t\u2019 mill for tuppence a month."
Desperate stuff. The skipper's gone. He pushes forward defensively, the ball turns a bit and loops off the inside edge of the blade to Shafiq at short leg.
"Mohammad Hafeez has taken 23 Test wickets, and that's the seventh time he's broken the opening partnership."
Jonathan Trott looks purposeful as he marches out to the crease. He was the one England batsman who looked in truly good nick in Dubai and he's off and running with two down to long leg.
This is authentic Test cricket, you can feel the tension out there as the England batsmen desperately try to find their way against the spinners. Cook relieves a bit of pressure with three runs through midwicket before Trott is totally beaten by a brilliant doosra. Knife-edge stuff.
"Pakistan aren't going to bowl too many bad balls, so it's all about knowing which shots to play, and which time to let the opposition know you're not just going to block it - like Misbah did against Panesar yesterday. I don't like to be pessimistic for England fans, but I'm not seeing good signs here."
A single each before Cook wafts at thin air to a ball outside off stump. England's Ashes colossus looks anything but comfortable out there.
From anonymous: "Re JB at 7.12 Can you keep the noise down as I'm trying to watch BBC Breakfast upstairs using copper wire, rubber bands and a etchasketch."
Better from Cook as he waits for the ball and cuts late for a boundary - only the third of the innings.
From Steve in West Penge: "Having just invented time travel next Monday, I'm listening from 1963, just outside Penge."
Trott whips one off his pads for a single. Cook seems intent on playing the cut shot to the spinners, with limited success and plenty of risk. Hafeez is in the middle of a very tidy spell -\u00a0 7-2-9-1 are his figures thus far.
Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman is introduced as Misbah mixes up his trio of twirlers. He seems to toss it down a bit quicker than the other two and Trott is hurried into jabbing the ball away from his stumps. England's batsmen are having to concentrate so hard on every ball. Maiden over.
"Since the conclusion of last winter's Ashes series, Strauss has made 292 runs in 13 innings at an average of 22.46. His last century to come against a team other than Australia was in the West Indies almost three years ago."
Signs of confidence from Alastair Cook as he smacks Rehman for to and then cuts him hard to the fence for a very welcome boundary. Cook has 27 now - "He's got there by sheer bloody-minded hard work," says an approving Boycs.
Animated screams abound as Cook is slapped on the pad in front of leg stump, but I think the ball was sliding past the timbers and so does umpire Steve Davis. Two more overs until lunch.
From Andy in Aberystwyth, TMS inbox: "So Strauss saves his centuries for Aussies. You got a problem with that?"
"I wish they'd stick it up in big letters in the dressing-room: 'Patience'. 'Stay in'."
Another maiden from Rehman. England's run rate is only a fraction above two per over but they won't worry a jot about that if they can just keep wickets in hand. Can't help feeling this pitch is a good one for batting if only you can get yourself in.
Cook connects with another cut shot but can only pick out cover-point. Then an inside edge squirts off the bat just wide of short leg Shafiq. England will be happy with their morning's work, after wrapping up the Pakistan tail in double quick time and only losing one wicket. There's a fair bit of toil ahead, but in Cook and Trott, they have two men who are used to rolling their sleeves up and doing the dirty work. Genuinely fascinating Test cricket.
From Tim HJ in Marlow: "Re Steve [0738]. On your way back from 1963, can you bring me cod and chips twice and a pickled egg from the chip shop in Green Lane? Best batter in SE20 - although I don't know how time travel will affect it."
Time for a short break in BBC Sport text comm HQ. Listen to TMS if you can for Jonathan Agnew's lunchtime chinwag with Oscar-winning film producer Stephen Evans. Back in a jiffy.
Oscar-winning film producer Stephen Evans on TMS: "Sly Stallone had eight bodyguards with him at Cannes one year, but the only reason he had them was to draw attention to himself!"
We're back, replenished from a sausage sandwich and some brief pyrotechnics involving a bun and a revolving toaster. Where will the fireworks come from in this afternoon session?\u00a0
From Richard Moss, TMS inbox: "RE: TimHJ: If the batter in the Green Lane chippy is the best in SE20, can we give him some gloves and pads so that he can open with the appropriately named Alastair COOK in the next innings."
From toon_crier: "Forget 'Moves like Jagger', Cook and Trott need to 'Bat Like Boycott'."
"It's interesting that Misbah's turning straight back to Umar Gul after lunch, despite\u00a0using the spinners a lot before lunch\u00a0- the ball nipped around a bit this morning for Anderson and Broad. I think seam stil has a part to play on this pitch."
Splendid start from Jonathan Trott as he square-cuts Umar Gul for four. Then slightly less splended as a thick outside edge brings Trott another four. It's all a bit short from Gul as Trott turns another three off his hips to complete a profitable over for England.
Good positive start from England after lunch as Cook works Hafeez through midwicket for four runs.
From Paul (not Dave), HMS Somerset, TMS inbox: "Watching the text updates (when I can) in a warship in the North Arabian Sea whilst hunting Pirates."
Trott tickles Gul (not literally) behind square on the offside for one. Cook leaves a couple well alone, then has a nibble at the last abll and is very fortunate that it doesn't catch the edge.
From Andrew Rice, Aberdeen, TMS inbox: "If you want an idea of cricket's global appeal, I was in Terminal 5 at Heathrow yesterday following you online, when an American gentleman sat next to me animatedly asked me the score and wondered how Ajmal was getting on. A little surprised, I politely engaged with him and then he left to get his flight. Once he had gone, the couple opposite who had been smirking at me the whole time leaned over and said, 'You do realise that was Art Garfunkel don't you?'."
Cracking yarn that Andrew. Anyone else met any unlikely cricket fans lately? Much better from England since lunch and Trott gets another single and Cook gets two from a thick outside edge. They have obviously had a chat and decided to up the scoring rate a bit.
From Pirate Tim, TMS inbox: "Re: Paul [0855]: Watching text updates whilst trying to avoid warships in the North Arabian Sea."
Gul thumps one into Trott's pads and roars an appeal. Not out says the umpire and the decision is spot on, with the ball destined to miss leg stump by a distance. Trott drives through the covers with a full flourish and they run three.
From Shoey, TMS inbox: "Laid out on a sun lounger in Egypt with the missus moaning that I'm constantly checking the scores! She doesn't understand we have to sit closer to the hotel (and in the shade) cos the wi-fi doesn't reach that far!"
Humdinger of an over from Ajmal. He gets one to turn very sharply into the right-handed Trott and there's another big appeal. It looks very, very close as it strikes him on the knee-roll of his back pad right in front of the stumps but the ump says no. Another ball, another appeal as Trott is struck low but he is further forward this time.\u00a0 Replays confirm Trott would have been out if Pakistan had reviewed the first appeal. Could be costly that.
From Jonny Lava, TMS inbox: "Following the Test from the centre of the Earth. We'll know Trott is out when the tectonic plates stop shaking from him marking his guard."
"It's a good start after lunch for England. They've scored quickly and I think that's important. It's so important that the pair at the crease make this count because it's not going to be easy for a new man coming in."
Gul serves one up on a silver platter for Trott and he gobbles up a boundary through extra cover. Then a single to bring up the 50 partnership off 98 balls. Think our emailing pirates have found their way to the ground as TV pics reveal a huge skull and crossbones flag.
Three more runs from an Ajmal over - are England working him out? Don't count on it. Talking of unlikely cricket fans, did anyone know former Liverpool and Man City midfielder Dietmar Hamann was a huge follower of the noble game, and once lost \u00a3288,000 on a spread bet on an Australia-South Africa match?
From Josh, overcast hotel beach, Abu Dhabi, TMS inbox: "Re: Shoey [0907],\u00a0if the missus wants a suntan, then she'll have to pay for your data roaming charges."
Trott's outside edge is serving him very well today, earning him another spawny boundary off Junaid Khan. Trott has now scored 2,064 Test runs without a six, the highest of any England player.
A rare long-hop from Ajmal is given the treatment by Trott as he cuts square for four, the 10th of the England innings. The camera picks out ECB chairman Giles Clarke watching from an over-sized red armchair - hard life Giles?
"Since lunch, Cook has been at his anonymous best. Trott has rushed along, but has had the escape when Pakistan declined to go for a review. Apart from that one moment, this period has been serene and prosperous for the batsmen."
From Owen, London, TMS inbox: "Re: Andrew from Aberdeen [0858]. My ex-pat friend in California claimed he watched the last Ashes series with Art Garfunkel over at Stephen Stills' house (ex-Crosby Stills and Nash). Apparently Stills is a BIG fan and always hosts Test match house parties in LA. I thought it was a fairly unimpressive lie, but now I'm beginning to believe it."
Healthy partnership developing here for England, perhaps for the first time this series. Both batters playing sensibly, waiting for the bad balls and putting them away. Just the one run from Junaid's latest over.
From Toby, London, TMS inbox: "My dad once sat next to Mick Jagger on a flight to the West Indies in the 1970s, they talked about English cricket and the upcoming tour, it was only when they arrived at their destination and Mr Jagger discovered the airline had misplaced one of his guitars, and an almighty fuss ensued, that my dad actually realised who he was!"
Doosra alert and Trott gets lucky as the ball squirts off a leading edge behind square on the off side for two runs.
From Mick, TMS inbox: "Following the Art Garfunkel 'yarn' here's another. My wife was sitting on a hotel lawn in Chennai when she was asked if she would mind moving while the TV interviewed someone. While the TV were setting up the interviewee came over and began 'chatting her up'. Only long after was she told his name - Sachin Tendulkar. Our Indian friends still won't allow her to forget."
Junaid fires one across Trott and appeals for a catch behind. Not out and no sign of an edge on HotSpot. A single each to keep the scorers busy. How long before we have spin from both ends?
From Barry, TMS inbox: "Slight tangent here but I was in Bangalore in October and watched Liverpool play with Test umpire Billy Doctrove. He was fully jerseyed up and went berserk when they scored."
Looks like Jonathan Trott needs a new rubber for his bat, a subject which Aggers is reluctant to be drawn on, following his giggle-fest with Michael Vaughan last summer. Time for a drinks break and some musings on TMS about who would play Geoff Boycott in a movie of his life. Any thoughts?
From Richard Ashurst, TMS inbox: "Re: Andrew and Art Garfunkel. Was he homeward bound?"
Saeed Ajmal sends down his 11th wicketless over of the innings out in sunny Abu Dhabi. A single apiece for Cook and Trott who are rotating the strike very nicely indeed.
From Andrew, Dublin, TMS inbox: "Not really cricket related, but two of my friends were asked to leave their table in a restaurant as there was a special guest coming in. They obliged and were delighted when Bono came in with some scruffy bearded fella. They asked for Bono\u2019s autograph and the bearded fella took photos of them all together. When they got up to leave, they were advised that the bill had been taken care of. They rushed to thank Bono and were told, 'don\u2019t thank me, thank Mr Springsteen here'."
Trott brings up the England hundred with a delightful on-drive for four. Then he lashes one through the covers for four more. Jim Broadbent as later-life Boycott perhaps?
From Ed in London: "Sean Bean as Boycott? You'd have to get Peter Jackson in to direct it as a trilogy though. One film would barely cover the first 20 runs of his career."
From Nigel, TMS inbox: "Top Russian Chess Grandmaster Peter Svidler is a complete cricket aficionado. During the 2007 Chess World Cup, he kept on coming up to me during his games asking what the latest scores were in England\u2019s Test match."
England's run rate is 3.63 since lunch, compared with 2 in the morning sesh. Nothing doing from that over from Ajmal though as Cook plays out a maiden.
A few suggestions from the TMS inbox on who should play Geoffrey in "Boycott: The Movie":
Josh Davis: "Has to be Jeff Bridges!"
Nev, Denmark: "John Malkovich is a natural for the brooding Boycs."
JB: "It's got to be Daniel Craig!"
Henry Blagg: "Daniel Radcliffe, of course!"
Hafeez gets one to keep low to Cook and catches him on the pad. There's another appeal but it looked to be sliding down leg and once again they don't appeal. Michael Sheen as the young Boycott? He could more or less reprise his Cloughie impression.
More Boycott movie suggestions from the TMS inbox:
Toby Reisz: "The only possible person to have the depth to portray Boycs' full emotional range must be Meryl Streep."
David Roome: "Either Jack Nicholson ('Here's Geoffrey!') or Richard Wilson (in character as Victor Meldrew)."
Mick in Tunbridge Wells: "Any one of the Monty Python 'Four Yorkshiremen' sketch. Couldn't be more lifelike."
Now then, sharp turn from Ajmal. Trott struck on the pad and this time they will review...
Breathe again England fans, he's not out. The ball would have struck middle stump half way up, but the contact with Trott was just outside the line of off stump.
More "who should play Geoffrey?" suggestions from the TMS inbox:
Bryan in Siberia: "Only Rowan Atkinson could pull off Boycott, with a straight face."
Phil in Stoke: "Clint Eastwood."
James in the bath in Paris: "How about Russell Crowe to play Geoffrey? He's an expert at British accents (I refer you to his portrayal of Robin Hood!)."\u00a0
Jenny: "The only person Geoffrey Boycott would trust to play Geoffrey Boycott is Geoffrey Boycott!"\u00a0
Trott reaches his 9th Test fifty off 95 balls with a single off Hafeez to square leg. He's the first member of England's top six to score a half-century this series.
"The Pakistan bowlers are now under a bit of pressure. Misbah seems reluctant to bowl Abdur Rehman, he doesn't have a great deal of confidence in him."
Big moment here as Pakistan use their second review for a possible Trott caught behind? Was there an inside edge onto his pads?
Not Out and Pakistan have used up both of their reviews for the innings. We're not sure whether they were appealing for an lbw or an inside edge there but Trott survives and England's luck is in. Umpire Bruce Oxenford is quietly playing a blinder this series with 10 decisions reviewed and only one overturned.
From John Murphy, TMS inbox: "Surely in a biopic about Geoff Boycott his mother would have to play him with a stick of rhubarb."
Ajmal induces an inside edge from the Cookster and the ball flies inches from the fingertips of Azhar Ali at short leg. One more single each, the partnership creeping towards a ton.
Hafeez, Cook, pads, appeal, not out. You know the drill. And no reviews left for Pakistan. That pitched just outside off stump so it's a good decision.
"These two have played nicely, but there's still something happening out there. Pakistan have used their reviews badly - and one that they should have reviewed was out. You think that if Pakistan can get a wicket, they could easily get two or three."
From Harry in Cirencester, TMS inbox: "Furthering secret celebrity cricket fans, on holiday on the Kenyan coast, my father was hiding from the mid-day sun in the bar where the test match was being shown. He then decided to join us for a spot of lunch when he announced "I've been watching the cricket with a gorgeous blonde girl called Cara..." I went to the bar after lunch to watch the afternoon session to find my dad and Keira Knightley drinking beer and watching the cricket together. He still doesn't know who she is - You can take a man out of Yorkshire!"
Cook joins his partner on fifty off 133 balls, with his sixth four clipped off his pads. It's been hard work but worth the wait for the England opener.
From Reece in Chichester, TMS inbox: "If you're going to push artistic licence for the Boycott film I'd go for Mr T for the main role. I pity the fool who plays a loose stroke outside off stump!"
"Boycott the movie would be a long one, without a doubt, with lots of dull net practice and so on and so forth."
Pakistan's day in a nut-shell as an Ajmal no-ball brings up the 100 partnership for Cook and Trott from 219 balls. Big chance now for England to really take a grip on the match.
From Ix, Cambridge, TMS inbox: "TMS: The Movie - starring Sir Ian McKellen as Geoffrey Boycott, David Tennant as Michael Vaughan, Jim Broadbent as Henry Blofeld, Timothy Spall as Vic Marks, Hugh Laurie as Jonathan Agnew, featuring Imelda Staunton as The Lady Who Sends a Cake."
More good strike rotation off Rehman's latest over. This is the sixth century partnership between Cook and Trott in England colours. I think we'll keep the Boycott the Movie theme running until tea then we'll have to knock it on the head before our inbox explodes. Here's a good one though...
From John "working" in York: "Surely Sir Geoff the movie has to have a plot based on him travelling back in time using the corridor of uncertainty to stop the invention of pitch covers."
From Pio Cardoza, TMS inbox: "Anthony Hopkins as Geoffrey Boycott... 'A spin bowler once tried to test me. I swatted his googly with some runner beans and a fine bitter'."
Two more overs of spin scuttle past without incident. Just two runs to Cook to midwicket and we'll have one more before tea and cakes.
From Mark in Milton Keynes, TMS inbox: "Would \u2018Boycott the Movie\u2019 have a scene where the intrepid Geoff joyously checks into a bed and breakfast after playing on a batsman-friendly track?"
Cook clips wide of mid-on and jogs a single to give Trott the strike for the last four balls. With men around the bat, Trott has no intention of going all Misbah on us and smashing his first six in Test cricket. Instead, he blocks all four and takes us through to tea. England's session, with 84 runs and no wickets in 30 overs. Time for me to seek out a cuppa and for Mark Mitchener to take over the the comms for a short stint.
"We've got some really good news to bring you in this tea interval - the ECB has agreed a new six-year deal to broadcast live and exclusive coverage of England's home Test, one-day international and Twenty20 series on TMS\u00a0until 2019."
ECB chairman Giles Clarke on TMS: "TMS is part and parcel of our game, a vital part of how people follow our nation's team, and I'm delighted that it's going to continue until the Ashes tour of 2019. We felt it was absolutely imperative to have a lengthy period of time for Test Match Special - and its huge audience -\u00a0to rely on. This will be an integral part of the BBC's planning going forward."
ECB chairman Giles Clarke on TMS: "We know a lot of people may follow some of the game on television, but also follow large parts of it on radio, particularly via the internet."
ECB chairman Giles Clarke on TMS: "The ECB is confident of making further announcements about developing relationships with the BBC about the coverage of county cricket on local radio. These are very important radio stations for people to follow their local county."
BBC director of sport Barbara Slater: "We're delighted to be taking cricket on the radio forward for a further six years. Test Match Special, now in its 55th year, is one of the most treasured programmes on the BBC with its unique mix of expert commentary, insight, humour and entertainment. In a new digital era the programme and its accompanying download have never been more popular with its audience."
If you're just joining us, there's been some excellent breaking news about\u00a0the BBC\u00a0signing a new six-year contract with the ECB to cover all England's home games on the radio until 2019. You can read more on the BBC Sport website. As Sam indicated, this is Mark Mitchener standing in for a spell - we're still about five minutes away from a resumption.
ECB chairman Giles Clarke (who also leads the ICC's Pakistan task force) on TMS: "Any presumption that corruption in cricket is only connected to one country is arrant nonsense. A large number of pirate sites illegally\u00a0stream television coverage overseas. We and the broadcasters closed down over 700 of them during\u00a0last summer's\u00a0series against India. This is the biggest danger to cricket - if you watch cricket on a pirate site, you're enriching people who aren't putting any money back into cricket. It's a very big problem for sport."
ECB chairman Giles Clarke on TMS: "We take the amnesty [for cricketers who provide information about spot-fixing in domestic cricket] very seriously. I can't comment on the Mervyn Westfield case as it's in the middle of legal proceedings."
On Twitter: "TMS will also be covering more domestic and women's internationals as part of new deal as well as an all year long TMS Podcast."
Trott and Cook ready to resume in Abu Dhabi, slow left-armer Abdur Rehman to resume.
Cook safely negotiates the opening over from Rehman, knocking the last ball for a single. As TMS commentator Simon Mann, who will join the team in the UAE for the one-dayers, has just tweeted: "BBC and ECB agree a new radio deal that runs until 2019. Cook or Trott may or may not be dismissed by then."
Interesting - Pakistan turn to Mohammad Hafeez (a "batsman who bowls" pushing for all-rounder status) rather then fellow off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who's very much a front-line bowler. Cook uses the spin well to work Hafeez through the covers for a scampered three that takes his score to 62.\u00a0Trott, watchful as ever, guides the ball through the covers and a slow outfield allows them to run three more.
Trott pushes Rehman for a single, Shafiq has a run-out chance from mid-on but the TMS crew think he threw to the wrong end, rather than trying to run Cook out at the striker's end. Cook nudges a single to fine leg, and England trail by 116.
From Ieuan Watkins (listening quietly in work!), Cwmbran, South Wales: "Congrats to BBC & ECB on decision to continue with TMS. 55 years of fabulous and knowledgeable commentary. Long may it continue."
Cook chops a cut shot - playing a lot more fluently than when he got out playing the same shot - to guide Hafeez for four through backward point. A single takes him to 68, and they're rattling through these overs.
From Chris, TMS inbox: "At the tennis in Melbourne watching Nadal versus Federer but keeping an eye on the England score. I think Nadal would make a good left-arm spin bowler and Federer would have a classy cover drive like Michael Vaughan."
You can also follow live text on Fed v Nadal with Aimee Lewis elsewhere on the BBC Sport website together with web-only BBC commentary
Pakistan make an early bowling change - Rehman's off after two overs of post-tea twirl, and they turn back to the pace of Umar Gul. The increasingly unflappable Cook guides a two off his legs, while Gul holds himself up against mid-off to have a bit of a stretch - has he pulled something? He looks like he's not moving too freely. (A bit like Shane Watson, who always looks like he's just pulled a hamstring when walking back to his mark). There's a half-hearted lbw appeal against Cook... but umpire Oxenford shakes his head and with no reviews left for Pakistan, that is that. Gul finishes his over and leaves the field with a definite limp. A big worry when you only have two seamers and the new ball's due in another 21 overs.
While Gul receives some treatment from the Pakistan physio off the pitch, Rehman has changed ends but it's business as usual for Trott as he guides a single off his legs. Cook helps one off his legs for two to push England past 150.
And having survived this post-tea "substitute fielder" session without jinxing England (I know where the blame would lie if a wicket had fallen), this is Mark Mitchener handing you back to Sam Sheringham for the rest of the day...
On Twitter: "Just to clarify that overseas rights are negotiated on a series by series basis - but I can confirm that TMS have rights for Sri Lanka Tests."
Many thanks Mark for that sterling work and for bringing us the tremendous news about the ECB-TMS rights deal. Umar Gul is back on the field with his ankle taped up and straight back into action. Trott pulls a short ball round the corner, it's a bit streaky but safe and they get a single down to long leg. Then a short delay as the sight-screen attendant goes AWOL just when England want it shuffled a few feet to the left. Cook plays out the rest of the over in a watchful way.
From osbournm: "Nadal would have to be more of a Merv Hughes type. Big tash, steaming in, bowling fast with more than a hint of late swing."
It isn't pretty watching these two but they are the kind of batsmen I like. They hate getting out and it generally takes a very good ball to bring about their dismissals. Two to Trott through extra cover and then a couple to Cook as Misbah misfields at midwicket.
Hard to find much to say about the action at the moment, but that's all credit to Messrs Trott and Cook who are going about things in their usual fuss-free manner. If these two ran a hotel, it would be the blandest of establishments: key cards, buffet breakfasts, shiny surfaces, trouser-presses, the lot. No frills, but ruthlessly efficient.
On Twitter: "The other Monty, Colin Montgomerie's heading our way to catch a bit of cricket according to [BBC golf correspondent] Iain Carter!"
Trott cuts a Rehman long-hop for four and then, from nowhere, a wicket... A much better ball, Trott doesn't get forward to it and is beaten by the spin as the ball takes out his off stump.
I think that caught us all by surprise. The Cook-Trott hotel has just been subjected to a most unwelcome break-in. Anyway, a great partnership of 139 and now it's time for KP to prove his worth by helping England build a substantial lead.
Never a dull moment when KP is at the crease as he scampers down the pitch before opting to defend an Ajmal delivery. He's always twitchy when he's on naught remember.
From Charlie: "I can imagine Sir Geoff being a permanent resident in Trott and Cook's hotel. Rather like the Major in Fawlty Towers."
From Alastair, Preston, TMS inbox: "Re: 1142 - Cricketers running hotels. What if KP and Monty ran a hotel together? It would have top class entertainers, shows every night, passionate employees and the occasional tendancy to collapse at the foundations during check-in!"
Cook nudges one of the last ball of Rehman's over to keep KP off the strike. What would a KP-run hotel be like? Bright a blingful methinks.
Classic Cook as he sees out five dot balls then cuts a short one from Ajmal square of the wicket for four. KP to face left-arm spinner Rehman...
From RaScBro: "Re KP Towers. The concierge would have a thick Afrikaans accent but swear he was born in Melton Mowbray."
Anything you can do, says KP to Cook as he blocks five balls then gets himself off the mark with a back-foot drive for four.
"The Major in Fawlty Towers was a big cricket fan, the cricket scores\u00a0were the main reason he would often ask 'Papers arrived yet, Fawlty?'. He remarks that 'D'Oliveira made a hundred' in the first\u00a0episode, celebrates the fact that 'Hampshire won!' in another, and also enthuses that 'Boycott made a century!' in the episode Basil the Rat."
From Peter Gorham, TMS inbox: "Surely KP's hotel would be like Atlantis in Dubai? Hugely ostentatious but clearly a great hotel - but thinks it is a lot better than it is. After a week of disappointing times between lunch and tea, you get bored of staying there and want to move on to another hotel...."
This is becomeing something of a theme. Five more dot balls and then a four, this time another cut from Cook to move England to 180-2. Meanwhile, Alison Mitchell's tip-off comes true as we spot a relaxed-looking Colin Montgomerie watching from the posh seats. Will Monty meet Monty?
From Catherine Stearn, TMS inbox: "Pietersen's hotel would have plenty of mirrors."
A run apiece off Rehman as we catch a glimpse of Strauss and Flower deep in conversation on the England balcony. Flower is taking notes while the skipper speaks. "So Andrew, when are you next planning on scoring a fifty?"
From Ian in Muscat, wishing he had attended this Test and not last week's, TMS inbox: "If I were to stay at a cricket hotel, I would stay at the Middlesex Suite. Breakfast laid on by Mike Gatting, entertainment laid on by Phil Tufnell, then a hefty dose of rehab/detox laid on by Mike Brearley."
Pietersen has a thrash at a cut shot and is very nearly caught behind off Rehman. He still hasn't quite settled but he's keeping the strike after pushing a single to long-off from the last ball.
From Ross, Berkshire, TMS inbox: "If Broad, Tremlett and Finn were to own a hotel it would have to be 'High Towers'!"
Cook gets an edge to an Ajmal turner but it's wide of Hafeez at slip and they run two. The Cookster is now 11 runs short of his 20th Test ton.
From Mark in London, TMS inbox: "Part of the reason for the lovely cricket references in Fawlty Towers was that John Cleese was a good cricketer at school. He played as an off spinner for Clifton at Lord\u2019s against my Dad, who was at Tonbridge. Dad says he was amazingly tall then too\u2026"
Cleese once contacted BBC Ceefax to complain that the Somerset cricket scores were not updated often enough!
Rehman over-pitches a tad and Pietersen is on it in a flash, slashing off his toes through the on-side for four. Just over half an hour until the close of a very good day for England.
From s_anders_11: "Surely Flower and Strauss would have taken over a grand but failing hotel and turn it into the best in the world!"
Ladies and gentlemen, Alastair Cook is out... He pushes forward but he hasn't read the doosra and the ball strikes him halfway up the pad. He doesn't review it, he knows he's out, but it's been a great innings.
Big half hour this for the series. Can England survive unscathed until the close? Pietersen plays out a maiden to leave Ian Bell to face his nemesis. He was out twice to the doosra in Dubai, remember...
"Bell's a class act, he'll know that he got done by a couple of good doosras which he should pick. He's faced Murali, he's faced Harbhajan Singh, he's probably faced Saqlain Mushtaq in county cricket and he should know how to play it."
Woo-hoo, Bell picks the doosra and smacks in on the up through the covers for four. Then, just to show what a silly old game this is he doesn't read the next ball as it goes the same way and beats the outside edge. Good cricket, real tussle.
From Duncan, TMS inbox: "England Hotel \u2013 'Flowers Towers' staffed by the current players. KP and Swanny very much front of house, Tremlett the scary lurchlike janitor, Cook in the kitchen (naturally), Monty the much put upon hapless Manuel figure."
On Twitter: "Vaughan quite right - many batsmen on 94 on front foot would have gambled a team review. Cook is a team man."
Disaster strikes for England... KP tries to swat Ajmal through midwicket but gets an inside edge onto his pad. The ball loops to first slip where Hafeez pouches a sharp catch, falling to his left.
No nightwatchman for England (yet) so Eoin Morgan walks out to bat with 15 minutes of day two remaining. Make no mistake, this match is in the balance now because England will have to bat last on this pitch.\u00a0 Morgan survives five balls from Ajmal, getting off the mark with an edge to third man for two.
"It's still been a good day for England. Lose another wicket... not so good."
Bell safely sees off a maiden over from Rehman and the second new ball is now available, but Pakistan are not taking it straight away with Saeed Ajmal in the groove.
From Colin Sully, TMS inbox: "Pakistan were also 203-4 and then all out for 257... come on England!"
Eoin Morgan is done like a kipper by a textbook off-spinner from Ajmal. He only played at that for fear of it being the doosra. Cut to the England balcony, where Jimmy Anderson is padded-up next to Graeme Swann, who has his feet up reading a novel!
From Matt in London: "I trust any hotel KP runs will have revolving doors for ease of getting out."
An absolute peach from Rehman is much too good for Bell as it rips past his blade. Pakistan are right on top at the moment and desperate for more blood before the close of play.\u00a0 Three men are round the bat and you can bet that Belly and Morgan are getting a fair bit of "encouragement" from close quarters. Three overs for England to survive.
From Jamie in Nottingham, TMS inbox: "I think the England selectors need to read that book 'We Need To Talk About Kevin'. One great innings every 20 matches does not a great batsman make. Drop him."
Ajmal hits Morgan on the pad and appeals, but it's clearly missing leg stump. Then a single to mid-on gives Bell the strike. Another big appeal, looks out from here ... but umpire Oxenford says no, and he's right with HotSpot revealing the slightest of inside edges.
I think I will activate the appeal graphic at the start of every over because they are literally screaming for everything at the moment. It's desperate rearguard stuff from England but they see it through to the final over of the day. Jimmy Anderson can take his pads off because if they lose a wicket now, it will be the close of play.
Has Eoin Morgan ever been under pressure like this? There are no less five men around the bat but he keeps out the first four balls. The fifth turns a bit more and catches the edge - and he's caught at first slip!
That's it folks. You simply have to take your hats off to Pakistan for a brilliant final hour of cricket. They looked downtrodden when Trott and Cook were at work but responded brilliantly. Morgan's wicket has left this match on the sharpest of knife edges with England five wickets down and still 50 runs behind.
\u201cIt\u2019s been as good a day of Test match cricket as you could see. Cook and Trott were superb but in that final hour Pakistan were outstanding. If England only get a 30-run lead Pakistan are in the box seat. If they get a 50-run lead they have a great chance. If Ajmal gets one early tomorrow, he could get rid of this tail in three or four overs.\u201d
From Harriet in Winchester: "And when we're done talking about Kevin, how about a blockbusting sequel? We need to talk about Eoin as well."
"What a fantastic game of cricket. I wasn't sure last night who was winning, and I'm not sure now."
From David Richerby, TMS inbox: "What's this nonsense from Jamie about Pietersen only playing a great innings once every 20 games? Don't you remember last summer's run of 72, 85, 202*, 1, 29, 63, 63, 175 against Sri Lanka and India last summer?"
As Michael Vaughan and Geoffrey Boycott have suggested, that was about as good as Test cricket gets. This match is in the balance and I'm itching for the resumption at 6am tomorrow. Stephan Shemilt's match report is now live for your perusal and the podcast will be available online soon, with the Aggers column to follow. Thanks for all the brilliant texts, tweets and emails, especially on the Boycott movies and KP-run hotels. I'll be live again from 0530 for the build-up to a day that could well determine the outcome of this series.
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