England’s Harry Brook celebrates after reaching his half century.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
England’s Harry Brook extended his remarkable record against Pakistan to put the hosts into a commanding position on the second day of the first test at Headingley.
Brook cashed in on some indisciplined bowling from a lightweight seam attack to make 91 from 93 balls as England opened a 195-run lead with two first innings wickets still standing.
It took the Yorkshireman’s average in his 12 test appearances against Pakistan above 85.
Dropped on one at second slip by Salman Ali Agha off Khurram Shahzad, Brook illuminated a grey, rain-shortened day for his home crowd with an innings containing 13 fours before falling to spinner Ali Usman who finished with 5-92.
Brook shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 120 with the recalled Dan Lawrence who made 51 from 79 balls.
Lawrence, back after two years in the wilderness, filled the boots of Ben Stokes after his retirement in positive fashion, before top-edging a sweep off Usman.
The pair made the most of the base laid earlier by Joe Root and Jordan Cox.
Root made 66 – his 109th test innings of 50 or more – and Cox 73 – the first of his career – in a stand of 150 for the third wicket.
It was a surprise when Root played across a straight ball from Khurram Shahzad to be trapped lbw, four balls after Cox departed after misjudging the length of a full ball from Usman to be caught behind.
Cox, given his chance at No 3 by Jacob Bethell’s knee injury, hit Khurram for seven fours in the space of 12 balls on the way to a maiden test half-century.
England, who were helped by some poor ground fielding from Pakistan, closed on 366-8 after Usman dismissed Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson with successive balls in the 80th over.
Even though England now have caretaker coach Marcus Trescothick in charge after the exit of Brendon McCullum from the red ball side, the run rate was up with there with the Bazball era.
“Headingley is one of quickest-scoring grounds in the country and Tres has been really good with us,” said Cox.
“He has told everyone: ‘bat your way, bat how you want to and enjoy it’ and that’s what we’ve done.
“Hopefully the boys can get 50 runs tomorrow – we’ve still got Jamie Smith and Jofra Archer in there who can give it a good whack – and then get to our work.”
Pakistan, who last won a test in England eight years ago, are in a tight corner. With better weather forecast for the remaining three days, they look unlikely to receive much assistance from the elements in their efforts to get out of it.
“England have the upper hand but we will try to score as many runs as we can second innings,” said Usman.
“We have to get the two wickets as soon as possible and then try to score runs as a batting unit. Hopefully our batters can make a comeback and save the test match.”
Published – August 21, 2026 08:05 am IST
