England face a further test of patience as they attempt to press home their advantage and claim an historic victory over Pakistan in the opening Test at the Colonel Gaddafi stadium.

Written off as no-hopers before the start of the three-Test series, they exceeded even their own expectations by piling up an imposing 480 for eight declared despite facing the brilliance of Saqlain Mushtaq and his more than adequate spin accomplices.

They even kept their nerve when openers Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi took a liking to their attack by launching an explosive start to Pakistan's reply with a 63-run partnership in just 22 overs.

Yet the true test of their ability to triumph in Pakistan on their first visit to this part of the world in 13 years will be over the next two days when the perseverance of their attack will be the decisive factor in converting their advantage into tangible reward.

Pakistan will begin the fourth day still needing a further 162 runs to avoid the follow-on, having reached 119 for two when bad light brought play to a halt eight overs prematurely.

In normal circumstances that would represent a significant advantage on a turning pitch with two recognised spinners in the line-up and another part-time slow bowler on hand to ease the workload.

Cricket on the sub-continent, however, is played with different rules to the ones in England and the tourists will be hoping Pakistan's free-scoring batsmen lack the discipline and concentration to match their own efforts.

''The important thing is not to get frustrated,'' said left-arm spinner Ashley Giles.

''When wickets come they could come in a hurry because it's not an easy wicket to come in straightaway and try and score.

''Knowing this lot, they will look to do that because a lot of their players like scoring at the crease, and that will hopefully help us and give us a chance.''

His prediction was certainly borne out by the displays of Saeed and Afridi, who made a mockery of England's tally of only 25 boundaries in 196 overs by launching themselves into the new-ball attack of Darren Gough and Andrew Caddick.

Saeed was unexpectedly given lbw padding up to Graeme's Hick's second delivery with his part-time off-spin, but Afridi's brand of strokeplay in scoring 52 off 68 balls gave England a taste of what to expect if they waver in line and length.

He finally perished seven overs before the close, caught at long-off by Gough falling backwards off Giles to prevent further punishment.

But if England are to force home their advantage they will need both Giles and leg-spinner Ian Salisbury to answer their critics by delivering when it counts.

''Both I and Salisbury were written off before the series had started anyway, so everything we do is a bonus,'' claimed Giles.

''In that sense, it's made me more relaxed because I don't feel the pressure of being a great spinner who is supposed to win games.

''At the pace they bowled, the pitch gave batsmen the time to adjust. But I naturally bowl a bit quicker anyway and I've been criticised for it in the past but on this wicket it's quite suited.''

Given the ease with which England's tail-end coped with Pakistan's high-quality spinners, they will need Giles' higher speed of delivery to make a difference if they are to enforce the follow-on.

Resuming on 393 for six, the tourists suffered an early setback with Saqlain claiming seven wickets in an innings for the first time in his Test career by denying Craig White his maiden Test century.

White added just four runs to his overnight 89 before being caught at short-leg by Yousuf Youhana to raise fears that Saqlain may run through the lower order.

Instead the Giles and Salisbury partnership delivered with the bat, frustrating Saqlain for a further 30 overs before he capped his marathon 74-over contribution by claiming his eighth victim.

Attempting to sweep, Salisbury was rapped low on the pads and given leg before for a spritely 31. With the possibility of becoming only the third man in Test history to take all ten wickets in an innings in sight, Saqlain was denied by England's declaration.

''I wasn't thinking about the record, only for the interests of the team,'' insisted Saqlain, who could have joined Jim Laker and Anil Kumble in Test cricket's hall of fame.

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