Stuart Broad led England's charge with the bat on Friday and looked forward to his role with the ball come day four of the second Test.

The tourists sported high hopes of posting a healthy lead going into day three in Abu Dhabi, but Ian Bell and Matt Prior were unable to manage anything more than 29 and three respectively, leaving their side a mere 11 runs ahead with just three wicket remaining.

Broad, though, dug in with characteristic determination, carting six fours and a six across his unbeaten 58. With last-gasp runs from Graeme Swann and James Anderson along for the ride, England made it to 327 all out for a 70-run advantage.

In reply, Pakistan were reeling on 54 for four as Monty Panesar clinched three early wickets and Swann one. While Anderson and Broad went without reward through their opening spells, the spinners took advantage of a pitch offering some turn.

"We knew we had to get a lead on the wicket and it was an important first session for us," said Broad.

"It looked quite hard to survive out there but if you played your shots you put the pressure back on the bowler and that was my aim. Once we got some momentum going the wicket looked flatter.

"I'm a natural striker of the ball and that's how I play my cricket. I'd like to build and get big scores but that's something for the future.

"Whenever you start a fresh innings it's tough. It's a nervous first 20 minutes when you get out there. The fielders seemed to sit back for me when I hit the ball so it helped me rotate the strike a bit easier.

"This is the flattest the wicket has been so far. I think it will play well on Saturday and then turn a bit on the last day."

Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali were able to rescue their side from a spot of bother with a fine, unbroken 71-run stand. The young middle-order duo succeeded where veterans Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq failed before them, removing the deficit and pushing Pakistan's lead to 55 by the close of play.

"The two batsmen at the end there played very responsibly for the team but hopefully we can get them out early on Saturday," added Broad.

"The wicket has played very well. There has not been frightening spin or too much for the seamers. They lead by 50 runs at the moment and we don't want it to be much more than 150."

Shafiq, who moved to 35 not out, was eager to build on his stand with Ali, who is unbeaten on 46. While the talented right-hander wast not entirely prepared to commit to a final score, something in the region of 270 should be enough to truly test England across their second innings.

"The mindset was that we have a partnership here, build a 100 partnership and then we will look at the total," said Shafiq.

"It's too early to say we need to put on 250 or 300. It's really important to get runs from the bowlers."