England in charge against Pakistan

LEEDS, England (AP):

England tightened their grip on the first Test against Pakistan yesterday, reaching 366-8 for a commanding first-innings lead of 195 runs after Day 2 at Headingley.

Harry Brook, the world’s top-ranked Test batter, came closest to a century on his home ground but fell for 91 — one of five wickets claimed by left-arm spinner Ali Usman (5-92), his first five-wicket haul.

Joe Root (66) and Jordan Cox (73) shared a 150-run stand after England resumed on 112-2 following a four-hour rain delay. Dan Lawrence, playing his first Test in two years, added 51 at No. 6, but like his teammates, missed the chance to go bigger against erratic bowling and fielding.

Pakistan, bowled out for 171 in barely two sessions on Wednesday, struggled again as England scored freely at 4.46 runs per over. While the tempo echoed the Bazball era, the approach was more measured, with Brook punishing but less flamboyant, striking 13 fours. Dropped early by stand-in captain Salman Agha, he was eventually undone when Usman’s delivery deflected off his back leg onto the stumps.

It would have been Brook’s first century since his 111 against India at The Oval last July.

Cox reached his maiden half-century in just his second Test minutes before Root brought up his 109th, extending a career tally of more than 14,000 runs — second only to Sachin Tendulkar. Cox was later caught behind off Usman while Root fell lbw to Khurram Shahzad, wasting a review as the ball was shown hitting middle stump.

At stumps, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was 16 not out, with Jofra Archer yet to score, as fading light closed play.