Apart from Alastair Cook's 29th Test ton, there was Joe Root's double ton, which included two century stands - with Chris Woakes and Johnny Bairstow. Legspinner Yasir Shah, Man of the Match in the first Test, failed to trouble the English batsmen in Manchester and returned with figures of 1 for 213 off his 54 overs.
The left-arm pace trio of Mohammed Amir, Rahat Ali and Wahab Riaz bowled well in patches, but failed to cause much destruction.
However, it was Pakistan's batsmen who gave in rather easily after nearly two tiring days on the field, and allowed England to impose themselves in the contest. Their innings started well with the openers Shan Masood and Mohammad Hafeez showing resolute defence against the new ball pair of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
But the innings fell apart completely once Woakes was introduced into the attack in the 13th over as the second change bowler. He struck off the last ball of the over, teasing Hafeez with an away going delivery. The batsman went fending for it and got an outside edge, giving Root a low catch at second slip.
From thereon it was a matter of Pakistan batsmen finding ways to get out. Azhar Ali offered an easy return catch to Woakes, while Younis Khan glanced at a delivery outside leg to the wicketkeeper. The decision to bring in Ali as nightwatchman didn't work too well, either, as he poorly fended a short-pitched delivery to offer Gary Ballance an easy chance.
Grant Flower, Pakistan's batting coach, refused to accept their long stint in the field as an excuse for their batting collapse. "That was extremely damaging," he said at the end of day's play. "It wasn't good enough, but we still have good players to come in and we will have to bat better second time around."
"There was weariness, and a huge score like that plays mind tricks. But that's what happens in Test cricket, so it's no excuse," he added.
Pakistan were reduced to 57 for 4 at stumps, with Misbah-ul-Haq and Masood unbeaten at the crease. Shoaib Mohammad, former Pakistan player, told the Express Tribune, "For the first time on this tour, Pakistan are falling behind instead of ascending, so their determination will be sternly tested.
It will be really important for Pakistan for the top three batsmen to fire in the first innings, which will set the tone for others. When the middle-order sees that the top-order has put some runs on board, they will be motivated to fight to stay alive, he added.
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