Harry Brook's rapid 91 and half-centuries from Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence helped England reach 366-8 on Day 2 of the first Test against Pakistan.
Harry Brook continued his prolific record against Pakistan, scoring 91 off 93 balls to put England in a commanding position on a rain-shortened second day of the first Test at Headingley. England built a 195-run first-innings lead, closing on 366-8 with two wickets still standing.
Brook, who was dropped on 1 at second slip by Salman Ali Agha off Khurram Shahzad, struck 13 boundaries before falling to spinner Ali Usman, who claimed 5-92. Brook's innings lifted his Test average against Pakistan above 85 across 12 appearances. He shared a 120-run fifth-wicket stand with Dan Lawrence, who hit 51 from 79 balls in his first Test appearance in two years following Ben Stokes' retirement.
The middle-order surge built on a 150-run third-wicket partnership between Joe Root and Jordan Cox. Cox, batting at No. 3 due to Jacob Bethell's knee injury, scored 73 for his maiden Test half-century—hitting Khurram Shahzad for seven fours in 12 balls during his knock. Root contributed 66, marking his 109th Test score of 50 or more, before being trapped lbw by Shahzad.
Pakistan pulled back late in the day when Usman dismissed Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson off consecutive deliveries in the 80th over. Operating under caretaker coach Marcus Trescothick following Brendon McCullum's exit, England maintained a rapid scoring rate throughout the day as Pakistan, who last won a Test in England eight years ago, look to fight back on Day 3.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.