England star Chris Woakes has catch cruelly denied as Pakistan hammer home advantage

It was a superb piece of athleticism and timing but Chris Woakes was controversially denied a special catch on the boundary rope as Pakistan continued their dominance on day two of their Test series against England.

The home team chipped at Pakistan's massive total of 556 by reaching 1-96 at stumps - but Woakes' crucial miss punctuated what might have been for England's new-look attack.

All-rounder Salman Ali Agha, who went on to score 104, was on 15 when he marched down the wicket to drive England spinner Jack Leach down the ground in the 117th over.

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Woakes backpedalled towards the rope to take the catch but threw the ball into the air and stepped over the boundary rope to complete the catch.

Agha started to make his way towards the pavilion before the on-field umpires sent the decision upstairs.

As England celebrated the miraculous play, the third official's replay showed that Woakes' right foot was still touching the ground outside the boundary when he completed the catch, leaving Agha relieved.

"I did think it was out initially, I was walking towards the dressing room," Agha said.

"The umpire said that he saw that his foot was on the boundary. I don't really know, I haven't seen it again. I initially thought I was out."

The decision had a profound impact on the day's play as Agha took charge with meticulous drives and sweeps.

His third Test century followed tons by captain Shan Masood (151) and Abdullah Shafique (102) on day one.

Agha gave Pakistan an ideal finish on the benign pitch. In the company of Shaheen Shah Afridi (26), Agha hit 10 boundaries and three sixes in his 119-ball knock to propel Pakistan past 500.

"I believe I can take on spinners, no matter what the situation is, and that's exactly what I did," Agha said.

"I have been playing (batting) with tailenders for the last two years, so when the tail comes it brings the best out of me."

On a pitch which still looks good for batting with little help for fast bowlers or spinners, England raced at nearly five runs per over as Zac Crawley smashed 11 fours in his unbeaten 64. Joe Root was not out on 32.

England lost stand-in captain Ollie Pope without scoring in the second over to a stunning one-handed catch by a diving Aamer Jamal at midwicket off Naseem Shah. England trails Pakistan by 460 runs.

Pope had to open the innings after Ben Duckett injured his left thumb while grabbing a sharp chest-high catch of No.11 Abrar Ahmed in the slips that finally ended England's time on the field at humid Multan Stadium.

Fast bowler Brydon Carse was hopeful Duckett will recover overnight and bat on day three.

"He's just taken a knock on his thumb, but he will be assessed overnight and he'll be back batting tomorrow," Carse said.

England's Jack Leach took 3-160 and Shoaib Bashir 1-124 but Pakistan dominated both spinners.

Carse's long wait for his first wicket in his debut test came, which he finished with 2-74. Gus Atkinson (2-99) and Woakes (1-69) toiled without finding any reverse swing on the green square.

"Last two days have been immensely tough conditions for everyone out there," Carse said.

"We didn't get that much out of it (pitch) over the couple of days, but credit to the team and everyone for keep coming back in each session. There's some tired bodies in the camp at the moment, but the lads will rest up and come again tomorrow."