Scorecard: Multan stats Report: England on top

Ian Bell said he "had nothing to lose" after helping England into a strong position on day two of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan.

The Warwickshire batsman only made it into the team after skipper Michael Vaughan was ruled out by injury.

But he responded brilliantly, hitting 71 and putting on 180 for the second wicket with Marcus Trescothick.

"I felt there was nothing to lose," said Bell. "I had lost my place in the side and here was an opportunity."

Bell, who batted with patience on a slow wicket, added: "It's nice to get some runs and be a part of the Test match.

"It was a chance to go out and watch the ball. It was a fantastic wicket."

He's in great form... it's nice to be there at the other end watching Bell on Marcus Trescothick

Bell also heaped praise on stand-in captain Trescothick.

"Tres has played exceptionally well and it sets it up for tomorrow," said Bell.

"It's the first time Tres and I have got a decent partnership together. I felt we kept rotating the strike nicely which was good for me.

Let's remember that it was just one innings and he should be judged at the end of the series From NJ Have your say on TMS

"He's in great form, he's great to bat with because he keeps the scoreboard ticking over and it's nice to be there at the other end watching."

Bell said the early stages of the tour, when he was dropped for the second warm-up match after failing in the first ,had been "character-building."

He was even bowled by team medic Dr Peter Gregory in the nets - but it took Pakistan's bowlers 161 balls to deceive him.

"To be bowled by the Doc was not the most pleasant thing to happen," he said. "I've been working on some very simple things to help me get back into line."