DUBAI: Pakistan took a stranglehold on the second test Sunday, declaring its second innings on 354-6 to set England a record 491 runs to win.

Joe Root was undefeated on 59 at stumps on the fourth day at Dubai International Stadium with England 130-3 after losing both openers cheaply.

England still needs an unlikely 361 more runs in the final three sessions of play Monday, while Pakistan targets seven wickets to go one up in the three-test series.

Pakistan batsman Younis Khan warned against complacency.

"This is a different England side," Younis said. "This is not the one that will fold up the moment spinners start bowling."

Root, the best England batsman for turning pitches, reached his 15th test 50 in 34 matches with Jonny Bairstow giving him company on six.

Root, who received treatment while batting for what appeared to be back spasms, was solid throughout in his chanceless innings.

Having missed out on a ninth test century in the first innings — when he was dismissed for 88— Root appeared patient and determined, striking five well-timed boundaries in his 134-ball stay. Despite the discomfort in his back, he was comfortable against Pakistan's spinners.

Ian Bell, under pressure to maintain his position in the side, played a gritty knock of 46 before he was the third batsman out, caught off his gloves by Younis in the slips after Zulfiqar Babar's delivery turned and jumped.

Bell, who played some attacking shots square of the wicket, put on 102 runs for the third wicket with Root when England looked in dire straits at 19-2.

Moeen Ali (1) was the first to go, his intended drive of Imran Khan (1-16) taking the edge and nestling safe into the hands of Younis Khan in second slip. Captain Alastair Cook (10), running gingerly because of a groin strain, top-edged Yasir Shah's delivery to Wahab Riaz at deep backward square leg.

Resuming on 222-3, and reaching 311-4 at lunch, Pakistan declared its second innings half an hour into the afternoon session.

Younis scored his 31st test hundred and Asad Shafiq made 79 after Pakistan lost captain Misbah-ul Haq for 87 in the fourth over of the day, when James Anderson lured him into playing an expansive drive straight into the hands of Cook at mid-off.

Younis became a victim of leg-spinner Adil Rashid, when he top-edged a swipe for Ali to take a good running catch behind the bowler. He scored 118.

Shafiq was out leg before wicket to Ali at which point Misbah declared the innings.

For England, Anderson and Mark Wood took two wickets each.

The all-time record for a successful run chase is West Indies' 418-7 to beat Australia in Antigua in 2003.

Pakistan has won both test matches it has played against England in Dubai. The third and final test is in Sharjah, starting Nov. 1.