What followed was a bowling performance that, at least until they took three wickets for 95 in the final session, was as flat as the surface the bowlers were forced to toil on, and an opportunity for a Pakistan lineup that has struggled for form.
Pakistan finished on 328 for four after centuries from Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique carried them to a position of dominance - though given they started their last series by scoring 448 for six declared across the best part of two days against Bangladesh and still managed to lose the game, it is still not one that feels particularly secure.
It is hard to see how the presence of Jimmy Anderson, England's fast bowling coach, would have improved matters but this was certainly not a day that made his decision to start the series on a Scottish golf course appear any wiser.
For all their toil the seamers all had their moments: Chris Woakes's best spell came late in the day, under floodlights and with the second new ball, during which he trapped Babar Azam lbw, Brydon Carse bowled with pace and as much venom as it was possible to extract from the surface, and Gus Atkinson took two wickets.
The first of those gave England early hope, Pakistan's opening partnership broken for what was both a terrible score and also their best for nine months.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 08, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 08, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
England suffer as Masood and Shafique turn up heat
For weeks Pakistan teased England with talk of green pitches and seamer-friendly conditions, and then in the final hours before the opening game they peeled off the covers, shaved off anything betraying any evidence of chlorophyll, gave the heavy roller a final, deathly spin and, once the coin had fallen in their favour, told the tourists to do their best.
Russian court jails US citizen, 72, accused of fighting for Ukraine's army
A 72-year-old American citizen has been sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison by a Russian court that convicted him of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine.
US election Will white women's shift to the left prove decisive?
White female voters have been the backbone of the Republican party for decades - but polls indicate their support may be faltering, thanks to younger white women who are moving steadily leftwards.
Pakistan outlaws Pashtun group as government seeks to stifle dissent
Pakistani authorities have unleashed a draconian crackdown on dissent, breaking up opposition protests with violence and mass arrests and banning a movement to promote the rights of the ethnic Pashtun community under terrorism laws.
Nobel prize awarded to two US researchers for discovery of microRNA
The Nobel prize in physiology or medicine 2024 has been awarded to two scientists for their work on tiny RNA molecules that help cells control which proteins they produce.
Coroner urges health secretary to fix lack of ME care provision
A coroner has urged the UK health secretary, Wes Streeting, to address the \"non-existent\" care available to people with severe ME or risk further deaths like that of Maeve Boothby O'Neill.
Concerns in Telegraph newsroom over bidder's hardline views on Israel
Concern is mounting across the Telegraph newsroom over the threat to editorial impartiality and influence, as the New York Sun owner, Dovid Efune, is poised to enter exclusive talks to buy the Daily and Sunday Telegraph.
Chagos deal: Lammy hails handover of islands as 'a victory for diplomacy'
David Lammy has hailed the decision to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as a deal to save a strategically important UK-US military base, after accusations from opposition MPs that an important asset was being given away.
Vardy challenges 'sheer magnitude' of Rooney's £1.8m legal bill for libel trial
Rebekah Vardy has challenged the \"sheer magnitude\" of Coleen Rooney's £1.8m legal costs from the \"Wagatha Christie\" libel trial, which include her lawyer's stay at the Nobu hotel and minibar bill, the high court has been told.
Gaza The oldest and youngest victims of Israeli attacks
Israel-Gaza war One yearon