Published on 12:00 AM, August 12, 2016

Ali ton gives Eng edge

England's Moeen Ali celebrates scoring a century (100 runs) on the first day of the fourth Test cricket match between England and Pakistan. Photo: AFP

Moeen Ali made Pakistan pay for their latest fielding lapses with a century that saw England fight back on the first day of the fourth Test at The Oval on Thursday.

Ali's 108 was the cornerstone of England's 328 all out.

And there was still time in the two overs before stumps for Stuart Broad to have Sami Aslam lbw for three.

Pakistan ended the day three for one, with both Azhar Ali and nightwatchman Yasir Shah yet to score a run between them.

England, 2-1 up in the four-match series and bidding to become the world's top-ranked Test side, collapsed to 74 for four before lunch after captain Alastair Cook won the toss.

They were still struggling at 110 for five when number seven Ali came in.

But Ali, missed on nine and 15, turned the tide in a fifth-wicket stand of 93 with Jonny Bairstow (55) that followed their key partnership of 152 in England's 141-run win in the third Test at Edgbaston last week.

Sohail Khan took five for 68 -- his second five-wicket innings haul in as many Tests.