Ian Bell congratulated James Taylor on his brilliant return to Test cricket yesterday as England moved into position to take a telling lead over Pakistan in the third Test in Sharjah.

Taylor, whose first taste of Test cricket was short-lived in 2012, had to wait more than three years for his next opportunity.

But the 25-year-old hit a maiden half-century on his comeback at the highest level as England reached 222 for four at stumps on day two in reply to 234.

They therefore have an obvious chance to take charge of this final match and eke out a 1-1 series draw.

Bell was in situ when Taylor (74no) started his innings, with England stuttering on 97 for three after the loss of two quick wickets at the start of the second session.

But eight years Taylor’s senior and with an extra 115 Tests under his belt, England’s hugely experienced number three knew instinctively that he did not need to babysit his new partner.

Bell said: “I left him alone.He’s a smart enough cricketer, a busy cricketer — and that’s what we saw today, the way he swept, used his feet and ran between the wickets.”

The pair shared a hard-working stand of 42, the glue between the more substantial partnerships of Bell and Alastair Cook’s 71 for the second wicket and then Taylor and Jonny Bairstow’s unbroken 83 for the fifth.

Bell said: “He played brilliantly today. That was a great way to go out and start again, I suppose.

“He’s a very good player of spin, really quick feet and he’s showed today he’s a very good sweeper as well.

“It’s exactly what he’d have liked and I’m sure he’s sat in there very happy — and so he should be.”

The two complemented one another well, as they had when joining forces at the same venue in a tour fixture last month.

“With any opportunity he’s had, he’s grabbed it. I hope this is the start for him to kick on,” added Bell.