Brook, Root, Cox, and Lawrence Fire Half-Centuries as England Take Command Against Pakistan
England established a formidable 195-run first-innings lead over Pakistan at Headingley, strengthening their position in the opening Test.
The story
Day two at Headingley saw England's batters build a substantial lead against Pakistan, despite a rain-delayed start. After resuming on 112-2, Joe Root (66) and Jordan Cox (73) forged a crucial 150-run partnership, setting the tone for the hosts' dominance.
Harry Brook, the world's top-ranked Test batter, continued his impressive form against Pakistan, scoring a brisk 91 off 93 balls before falling short of a century on his home ground. Dan Lawrence, making a return to the Test side, also contributed with a solid 51.
Pakistan's left-arm spinner Ali Usman was the pick of their bowlers, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul with figures of 5-92. By stumps, England had reached 366-8, securing a commanding 195-run lead, leaving Pakistan with a significant challenge ahead.
Latest results
| Match | Format | Result | Star |
|---|---|---|---|
| England vs Pakistan | Test | England 366/8 (Day 2 Stumps), lead by 195 runs | Harry Brook 91 (93) & Ali Usman 5/92 |
| Bulgaria vs Luxembourg | T20 | Bulgaria won by 6 runs (DLS method) | Isa Zaroo 33 (30) & Eliyas Jabarkhel 3/25 |
| Czech Republic vs Portugal | T20 | Result not available yet | |
| Finland vs Isle of Man | T20 | Match abandoned due to rain | |
| Greece vs Israel | T20 | Israel won by 1 run (DLS method) | Niv Nagavkar 39 (22) & 1/14 (2) |
Series in play
Pakistan tour of England 2026. 1st Test, England lead by 195 runs after Day 2
Tables that matter
| Competition | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ICC World Test Championship (2025-27) | 1. Australia (77.78% PCT), 2. South Africa (75.00% PCT), 3. New Zealand (72.22% PCT) | The top two teams will progress to the final in 2027. |
| ICC Men's Test Team Rankings | Australia #1, South Africa #2, New Zealand #3 | Rankings are based on international matches, weighted towards recent form and opponent strength. |
What we'll be watching
- Day 3 of the 1st Test between England and Pakistan at Headingley, starting August 21st at 10:00 AM UTC.
- The 1st Test of India's tour of Sri Lanka, beginning August 23rd in Galle.
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.