Brook 91 puts England in command at Headingley in first Test

On the second day of the first Test at Headingley on August 21, 2026, England's Harry Brook extended his strong record against Pakistan and propelled the hosts into a commanding position.

Brook made 91 from 93 balls as England opened a 195-run lead with two first-innings wickets still in hand; the innings took his average in 12 Test appearances against Pakistan above 85. He was dropped on one at second slip by Salman Ali Agha off Khurram Shahzad, struck 13 fours in a rain-shortened day and was eventually dismissed by spinner Ali Usman, who finished with figures of 5-92.

Brook compiled a fifth-wicket partnership of 120 with Dan Lawrence, who returned to the side and scored 51 from 79 balls. Lawrence, back after two years in the wilderness and described in the report as filling Ben Stokes' boots after his retirement, was out when he top-edged a sweep off Usman.

Joe Root and Jordan Cox laid the platform with a third-wicket stand of 150; Root made 66, recorded as his 109th Test innings of 50 or more, and Cox scored 73, the first half-century of his career. Cox had been promoted to No 3 after Jacob Bethell's knee injury and earlier struck Khurram Shahzad for seven fours in 12 balls before being caught behind off Usman; Root was trapped lbw by Khurram Shahzad four balls after Cox's dismissal.

England were aided by some poor ground fielding from Pakistan and closed the day on 366-8 after Usman removed Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson with successive deliveries in the 80th over. The match report notes that England now have caretaker coach Marcus Trescothick in charge following Brendon McCullum's exit from the red-ball side and that the run rate remained high in the Bazball era.

Cox reflected on the team's approach and Trescothick's message, saying: "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, described as being in a tight corner and having last won a Test in England eight years ago, face a situation made less dependent on weather after a forecast of better conditions for the remaining three days. Ali Usman said: "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."

With improved weather predicted for the final three days, England will resume aiming to add the 50 runs Cox mentioned tomorrow while Pakistan will seek early breakthroughs to shift momentum before England begin their second innings.