Pakistan, with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, lost Taufiq Umar (six) and Mohammad Hafeez (21) in their second innings after England posted 141 for a first-innings lead of 42.
At the break Azhar Ali (one) and Younis Khan (one) were at the crease on another day of bowlers’ domination, after 16 wickets fell on the first day with Pakistan dismissed for 99 in their first innings.
Earlier Abdul Rehman took 5-40 — his second five-wicket haul after a career-best 6-25 in Pakistan’s 72-run win in the second Test in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan won the first Test by ten wickets, also in Dubai.
Paceman James Anderson again gave England an early breakthrough, forcing an edge off Umar which Andrew Strauss held in front of his knees in the slips.
Hafeez, who hit a six off Monty Panesar, fell leg-before to the left-armer in his next over, leaving Pakistan in a spot of bother at 28-2.
Captain Strauss top-scored with 56 for England before he was stumped by wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal off Rehman. Strauss hit five boundaries during his laborious 150-ball stay at the crease.
Resuming at 104-6, England lost nightwatchman Anderson in the first over of the day when he missed a sharp turning delivery from Rehman and was bowled.
Tow overs later, Rehman’s spin partner Saeed Ajmal trapped Stuart Broad (four) and after Strauss’s fall wrapped up the innings when Graeme Swann (16) holed out in the deep.
Ajmal finished with 3-59.