Brook's 91 Gives England Upper Hand Despite Ali Usman's Five-For

Despite Ali Usman's five-wicket haul – including three wickets in the final half-hour of play – England piled on the pressure against Pakistan in the first Test on Thursday (August 20).

With four batters registering half-centuries, the hosts stretched their control at Headingley, finishing Day 2 on 366 for 8, holding a commanding 195-run lead.

After the start of play was delayed by more than four hours due to rain, Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad tested the English batters with moving deliveries. Even as England had the upper hand after Pakistan were bundled out for 171 on the opening day, the visitors still had a chance of a comeback in helpful conditions.

After some early troubles, Jordan Cox cut loose, cracking Shahzad for four boundaries in an over. That brief assault was an anomaly, as he and Joe Root retained a more cautious approach.

Cox brought up the century stand for the third wicket with a punch through extra cover. Soon after, he flicked Abbas past fine leg to bring up his maiden Test half-century. A ball later, Root reached the same mark with a flick through mid-wicket.

The partnership flourished past the 150-run mark before Pakistan found success. Cox departed on 73, poking at a delivery outside off – taking a wasted review with him. England's woes were compounded as Root was trapped leg-before a few balls later, having burnt all reviews by then.

However, by then, England had already taken a 31-run lead. Pakistan could have been in a better position had Harry Brook's catch been taken when he was on 1, but Salman Agha couldn't grab it at slip and instead injured his finger.

Brook punished the visitors for the drop, blasting his way to a 55-ball half-century. Dan Lawrence was more respectful towards the bowlers but wasn't playing a secondary fiddle in a partnership that swelled to 120 runs in just 25 overs. As the partnership flourished, shoulders drooped, and Pakistan's pacers fed England with ample scoring opportunities through indisciplined bowling. Chances were missed in the field, reviews were lost, and helplessness set in.

However, led by Usman, Pakistan clawed their way back in the last 45 minutes. Lawrence departed soon after bringing up his half-century, top-edging a sweep off Ali Usman. Brook, who had muscled his way to 91, missed the line while looking to tuck the ball away and was cleaned up. Usman added two more wickets in the next over by sending back Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson off successive deliveries.

Jamie Smith survived the late collapse, with Jofra Archer for company, as England kept two wickets in hand heading into Day 3.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 171 (Abdullah Shafique 61; Josh Tongue 5-46, Ollie Robinson 5-51) trail England 366/8 (Harry Brook 91, Jordan Cox 73, Joe Root 66, Dan Lawrence 51; Ali Usman 5-92) by 195 runs.