England struck twice in the morning session on day one of the third Test to leave Pakistan 87-2 in Sharjah.
Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat on a flat pitch, but James Anderson was able to strike for the Three Lions in the third over of the day when he had Azhar Ali caught behind for a duck by Jonny Bairstow, replacing Jos Buttler as wicket-keeper.
However, England's pacemen were unable to find a further breakthrough as Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik patiently saw off the threat of the new ball.
Moeen Ali broke the 44-run partnership between the duo when he had Hafeez caught by Stuart Broad for 27, while minutes later Ali spun the ball past the bat of Malik, who was given out lbw on the field.
The 33-year-old reviewed the decision and the ball tracking system proved that the ball was missing leg stump.
Malik and Younis Khan solidified the innings, despite facing a tough time on a spinning track in the morning session as Alastair Cook used all three of his spinners in the 30 overs before lunch was called.