DUBAI: England managed just one wicket with the second new ball, Younus Khan for 127, in the first hour of the third morning at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Stuart Broad ended Younus' stand of 216 with Azhar Ali (90no), but England knew nonetheless they faced a tough road back to avoid defeat - and therefore a 3-0 series whitewash - in this final Test.

Pakistan moved from 222 for two to 249 for three, as Azhar inched ever closer to his second Test hundred - having previously reached exactly three figures on this same ground against Sri Lanka last year.

The hosts already had a lead of 207 on a pitch which seemed to be increasingly favouring the batsmen.

Broad nonetheless found enough in it to beat Younus' bat and see him off lbw on the front foot - DRS indicated the ball would have clipped the very top of middle-stump - after a 221-ball stay which had helped to shut England out for 82 overs.

Azhar might have gone before his partner, for 84, but escaped when Graeme Swann was just unable to hang on to a tough chance at second slip, very low to his left off the bowling of James Anderson. AGENCIES