England have a first-innings lead of 195 runs against Pakistan following a dominant spell with the bat on day two.

Despite a late start due to constant rain, England were 366-8 at stumps, with four players reaching the half-century mark for the hosts.

Two of those four were Jordan Cox (73) and captain Joe Root (66), who fell in back-to-back overs after their 150-run partnership saw England pass Pakistan's first-innings total of 171.

Harry Brook (91) and Dan Lawrence (51) were in next and carried on from where Cox and Root left off, putting on a 120-run stand of their own at Headingley.

Ali Usman (5-92) then sparked a late fightback from Pakistan, removing Lawrence before bowling out Brook, who looked to accelerate to a century in the final hour.

Usman also dismissed Gus Atkinson (3) and Ollie Robinson (0) in consecutive deliveries to secure a five-wicket haul, while Jamie Smith (16 not out) and Jofra Archer (0 not out) will start at the crease on day three.

A strong day with the bat 

Our lead closes in on 200 runs at the close on Day Two 

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— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 20, 2026

Brook haunts Pakistan again

Despite the late flurry of wickets from Usman, it was certainly a positive day for England with the bat.

Root scored his 109th half-century in the longest format, while Cox brought up his first as the hosts were unfazed by the rain delays.

Brook will no doubt be disappointed to miss out on a ton on his home ground, though he has once again proved to be a thorn in Pakistan's side.

He has scored 932 runs in Tests against Pakistan, his most against any nation, while his average of 84.7 versus this opponent is also the best of his Test career.

Usman's maiden five-fer will provide the slimmest of silver linings for Pakistan, who know there will be a big job to do with the bat in their second innings.