Pakistan dominated day two of the third Test in Dubai as centurion Younis Khan and Azhar Ali ground England into the desert dust.

The hosts assumed a 180-run lead with eight second-innings wickets in hand as a result of Khan’s imperious 115 and Ali’s 75 with both batsmen left unbeaten at the close of play.

Earlier in the day, England were skittled out for 141 as what looked like being a significant first-innings lead was restricted to just 42 and Pakistan proceeded to pile on the runs with a 194-run third-wicket partnership in a gruelling final two sessions for the tourists.

Misbah-ul-Haq’s side, who won the first two Tests in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, now look set to assume an impregnable hold on the match as they eye a series whitewash over the world’s top-ranked side.

The match, being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, has already seen 22 wickets fall in two days of play and an early finish to the game is expected with a draw effectively out of the equation.

At the start of the day, Pakistan bowled out England's lower order to keep their deficit very manageable with Abdur Rehman taking an inspired five-wicket haul.

Pakistan, playing their home matches in Dubai due to security reasons, launched their spinners into the attack and they found immediate success as Rehman dislodged the leg stump of nightwatchman Anderson in the first over of the day.

A doosra by Saeed Ajmal rapped Stuart Broad on the pad and was given out for four on review.

Rehman got his fifth wicket as Andrew Strauss stepped out to heave one over the park, only to be stumped in what was an aberration after a gutsy knock from the England captain.

Graeme Swann added a quick 16 runs for the final wicket, but the spinner was soon caught by Rehman following a lofted shot off Ajmal.

James Anderson was the first to strike as Pakistan began their second innings, dismissing Taufeeq Umar for six at slip, before slow left-arm spinner Monty Panesar trapped Mohammad Hafeez lbw for 21 on the sweep.

But Younis and Azhar proceeded to stage a stubborn and inspired resistance with a partnership which belied the struggles of the batsmen who went before the pair.

Younis struck 11 fours and a six in an innings which saw him reach his century in the final session as England’s players cut increasingly dejected and despondent figures in the field.

The Pakistan number four's 20th Test century came off 195 balls as the 34-year old batsman skilfully worked through England's pace and spin attack.

Azhar was equally impressive as he proved the perfect accomplice for the veteran middle-order batsman, and the pair’s match-changing stand was left on 194 runs by the close of play.

With a run-chase not even in sight for England, the tourists have to plan how they are going to take the final eight Pakistan wickets; meanwhile, the hosts ended the second day in buoyant mood with a third successive victory on the cards.

Dan Quarrell - follow on Twitter @danquarrell / Eurosport