Pakistan trails England by 185 runs with nine wickets left after fast bowler Wahab Riaz took five wickets on debut to help dismiss the hosts for 233 in the first innings of the third Test on Wednesday.
Pakistan reached 48-1 at stumps at The Oval, losing Imran Farhat for 11 in the final over, bowled by James Anderson.
The recalled Yasir Hameed was 36 not out in his first Test innings in almost three years, while Riaz was 0 as night-watchman.
Riaz had earlier finished with 5-63 from 18 overs. Seam bowler Mohammad Asif took 3-68 from 20 overs.
Matt Prior top-scored with 84 not out and added 119 with Stuart Broad, who made 48, to steer England from 94-7 after the hosts had won the toss. England leads 2-0 in the four-match series.
