Brook makes Pakistan pay for dropped catch as England dominate first Test

What the report says

England ended a rain-hit second day of the first Test against Pakistan in control at Headingley in Leeds, with Harry Brook’s aggressive 91 helping them reach 366-8 at stumps and build a 195-run lead. Al Jazeera, citing AFP, reported that Pakistan had been bowled out for 171 in their first innings, leaving England well placed after two days of the three-match series.

Brook was dropped early in his innings and made Pakistan pay, striking 13 fours in a rapid knock before falling just short of a century. Joe Root added 66 and Jordan Cox made 73, with the pair and Dan Lawrence helping England recover and extend their advantage after a stop-start day affected by rain.

Pakistan’s bowling was led by left-arm spinner Ali Usman, who took 5-92 for his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket, while England’s first-innings effort was built on pace bowling success the day before. Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson had shared the Pakistan wickets in the match’s earlier phase, underlining England’s dominance across the first two days.

The result matters because it gives England a strong early position in the opening Test and leaves Pakistan under pressure to respond in the remainder of the match.