Pakistan vs. England, 2nd Test, Day 4: Big Trouble in Little Dubai for England

Pakistan turned the screw on the fourth day of their clash with England, setting the visitors a huge target of 491 runs before removing three wickets by the close of play.

Despite losing Misbah-ul-Haq without addition to his overnight total, Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan added 113 runs in 27.2 overs during the morning to put their team into a very strong position.

Then, after declaring seven overs into the afternoon session, Moeen Ali and Alastair Cook fell cheaply to leave England rocking on 19/2.

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Ian Bell and Joe Root put on a century partnership to give the tourists hope, but the departure of the former means a heroic rear-guard action is required on Monday.

Let's take a look at some of the day's takeaways and try to predict what may happen.

Go Slow Pakistan

While the hosts are clearly in a position of considerable strength, Pakistan's lack of impetus in the morning session seemed decidedly strange.

With wickets in hand and a lead of more than 350 already in the bank, many expected Misbah's men to come out all guns blazing.

However, just 131 additional runs were added in 34 overs, a run rate of 3.85 perhaps indicating a lack of faith in their tail end.

Of course, if victory is wrapped up quickly on Monday, then the decision will be forgotten. But if England manage to hang on narrowly, then questions will be asked.

Khan's UAE Love Affair

Younis Khan put England to the sword by scoring the 31st century of his impressive career, an innings that also saw him surpass 9,000 Test runs.

The knock was a typically calm and composed effort by Pakistan's all-time leading Test run scorer, occupying 193 balls, 11 of which were hit to the boundary.

By the time he was dismissed by Adil Rashid, skying an aggressive shot when trying to increase the run rate, he'd led his side to an almost unassailable position.

And while his country's enforced absence from playing in Pakistan is a shame, having scored 10 of his triple-figure efforts in the Gulf state, Khan clearly enjoys the conditions.

Will Bell Be Playing on Sunday?

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Regardless of the result tomorrow, Ian Bell's position in the England side will be a subject of hot debate between now and the final Test of the series, which begins in Sharjah on Sunday.

In an important century stand with Joe Root, the 33-year-old scored 46 from 122 balls until Zulfiqar Babar found some surprising bounce to have him dismissed at slip on DRS evidence.

Some of the shots during the knock hinted at a return to form, but it wasn't the huge score the vastly experienced Bell required to really put the doubters to rest.

And with a potential batting-order reshuffle in the pipeline and James Taylor waiting in the wings, Bell, along with Jos Buttler, appears to be vulnerable.

Moeen, Moeen, Moeen, Moeen, I'm Begging of You Please Don't Take My Man 

The promotion of Moeen Ali to opener has been far from successful so far, with the flamboyant left-hander registering scores of 35, 11, 1 and 1 in the two Tests against Pakistan.

And his dismissal here, edging a wide delivery from Imran Khan to second slip, was not a shot the situation demanded.

With his spin bowling, though harshly treated by Pakistan, still in demand, it is unlikely Ali will be dropped, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Alex Hales playing in Sharjah.

What Next in This Test?

With three key batsmen already back in the hutch, England need a miracle to survive this game and escape with a draw.

However, as Joe Root and Ian Bell showed, the pitch isn't full of demons and, if you get in, it is possible to bat for long periods, which Root will clearly have to do on Monday.

From Pakistan's point of view, patience may be required. But if they can expose England's fragile bottom five, it is hard to see them having the technique to survive against the likes of Yasir Shah and Wahab Riaz.

As per usual, early wickets could be the key. A lot is resting on the shoulders of Root.

All statistics used in this article from ESPN Cricinfo.