BBC cricket chief commentator Jonathan Agnew has praised Harry Brook for adopting a more disciplined batting style on day two of the first Test against Pakistan, calling it a "blueprint" for the rest of his career, after Brook was overlooked for the England Test captaincy. Agnew argues the composed innings is no coincidence, suggesting Brook's snub in favour of Joe Root reflected concerns about maturity rather than tactical ability, and that showing greater restraint at the crease could strengthen his case to become captain when Root eventually steps down.

Brook scored 91 from 93 balls without his previous wild strokes, having only been dropped once, in contrast to reckless dismissals during England's Ashes defeat in Australia last winter. Agnew rates him alongside Kevin Pietersen and David Gower as one of the most talented players he has seen for England, citing his triple century against Pakistan in Multan, but says the captaincy is about more than on-field decisions, pointing to Brook's handling of media incidents such as one in Wellington. Root's second stint as captain is expected to last only until after next year's Ashes, with Jacob Bethell also seen as a potential future leadership contender, while England ended day two with a 185-run lead.