England started solidly in their pursuit of a victory target of 324 in the third Test against Pakistan, reaching 36 without loss at the close of day three.

Tasked with seeing out 20 overs late in the day, Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook provided just one chance between them despite the occasional presence of some prodigious turn.

Indeed, it was the pace of Umar Gul that nearly - and should have - brought a dismissal, with Cook edging a delivery that was angled across him. Luckily for the left-hander, Taufeeq Umar at third slip spilt the chance.

England recovered from a dreary opening to dismiss Pakistan for 365 inside the first hour of the evening session.

Having struggled to make early inroads, five wickets from Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann in less than 12 overs just before tea sent England on their way before the duo completed the job after the break.

Much of the opening two sessions was dominated by the composed Azhar Ali who at times seamed to bat himself to a standstill yet remained in control.

Ali batted for seven minutes short of nine hours and it was is partnerships first with Younis Khan and then Misbah-Ul-Haq that have helped Pakistan to such a commanding position.

The going was slow for the Pakistanis, particularly after lunch but wickets proved hard to come by until a brief burst before tea. It was Panesar who started the rot, catching Misbah (31) lbw as the skipper pushed forward. It was a close contest between bat and pad as to which the ball made contact with first, a fact that led Misbah to refer the decision but the umpire had it right the first time.

Asad Shafiq (5) and Adan Akmal (0) followed soon after as Panesar ran amok. The former was out lbw going on the sweep while the later was beaten by a beauty that pitched, straightened and clattered into off stump.

Seemingly spurred to life by the success of his spin twin, Graeme Swann then got in on the act, having both Saeed Ajmal and Adbur Rehman caught at slip.

After the interval the defences of Ali were at last penetrated when on 157, the right-hander turned one to Alastair Cook at short leg. Umar Gul didn't last much longer and the Panesar picked him up lbw to claim another five-wicket haul and in the process se this side a victory target that on paper looks getable but with the rough spurting plenty of dust seems a tough prospect in the face of the talents of Ajmal and Rehman.