BIRMINGHAM, England: Azhar Ali and Sami Aslam anchored Pakistan to 154-1 at tea on the second day of the third test to trail England by 143 runs on Thursday.
Azhar is undefeated on 72 and Aslam, making his series debut, has 69 for his maiden test half-century.
The pair defied England's four-man seam attack for nearly four hours after James Anderson dismissed Mohammad Hafeez off the fourth delivery of the day with Pakistan yet to score.
England's fielding was sloppy, twice dropping Azhar after lunch at Edgbaston.
The 20-year-old Aslam used his first opportunity in the series to hit a maiden test half-century.
England was dismissed for 297 on Wednesday with fast bowler Sohail Khan claiming 5-96 on his return to test cricket after five years.