Harry Brook solidified his standing as Test cricket's premier batsman with a swift 91 off 93 balls, fueling England's dominance over Pakistan and establishing a substantial lead on the second evening of the match. England reached 366 for eight at stumps, a lead of 195, putting them on the verge of victory.
Brook's innings, his first Test hundred on his home ground narrowly missed, confirmed his batting prowess. He was eventually bowled by spinner Ali Usman after adding 120 runs in 25 overs with Dan Lawrence, who also contributed a half-century. Brook's performance further underscored his exceptional record against Pakistan, averaging nearly 85 runs per innings against them over the last four years.
Despite a rain-shortened day, England added 254 runs from 57 overs. The innings also featured half-centuries from Jordan Cox, his first at this Test level, and Joe Root. The touring side's fielding was described as uncharacteristically loose, with several missed opportunities, including a dropped catch from captain Salman Agha when Brook was on one.
Usman was Pakistan's most effective bowler, taking five wickets for his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. However, the other Pakistani bowlers, Khurram Shahzad and Muhammad Ali, proved expensive, conceding a combined 200 runs from 38 overs.
Cox was caught behind off Usman for 73, ending a 150-run partnership for the third wicket. Root was dismissed for 66 shortly after, also falling to Shahzad. Both batsmen, along with opener Ben Duckett, had earlier used up England's reviews.
Lawrence, returning to the side, contributed 50 before mistiming a shot off Usman. Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson were the final wickets to fall, both to Usman.
In other team news, England's all-rounder Sam Curran will miss the upcoming Test series against Pakistan and potentially subsequent tours after it was decided his groin injury requires surgery. Curran, who has been eyed as a successor to Ben Stokes, had been earmarked for a return in the third Test against Pakistan but will now undergo an operation on Friday. This development could offer Dan Lawrence an extended opportunity in the squad, given England's limited options for seam-bowling all-rounders. Other seam-bowling all-rounders Jamie Overton and Will Jacks are also currently unavailable due to career decisions and surgery, respectively. Jacob Bethell continues to recover from a knee injury.