'Plug him in as attack leader' - England-Pakistan player ratings

'Plug him in as attack leader' - England-Pakistan player ratings Emilio Gay scored a breezy 33, his shot selection looking bully‑ish against a modest Pakistan performance. He fell for the fourth time in his four‑Test career after nicking off to the keeper or slips, a persistent flaw in his technique. Rating: 4 Ben Duckett managed just 15 before being given out lbw, a decision he reviewed unsuccessfully. He took a straightforward catch in his new fielding position after Joe Root vacated first slip. Rating: 5 Jordan Cox stepped in for the injured Jacob Bethell and looked composed at number three, making 73. He batted at an ideal tempo and, although he missed a chance to reach a maiden fifty, the next two Tests present a perfect opportunity to cement his place. Rating: 8 Joe Root began his second stint as captain with a calm influence on the side; his batting remained steady as he made 66 on day two. Pakistan’s second‑innings wickets included catches at leg gaffe and backward square leg, errors that stemmed as much from batsman mistakes as from Root’s cleverness. Rating: 8 Harry Brook continued his promising run, cruising to 91 from 93 balls with little risk taken. While Pakistan’s bowling was ordinary, Brook answered the calls made of him by the side. Rating: 8 Dan Lawrence produced a respectable 51 on his return to the Test XI but failed to push his claim as England’s makeshift all‑rounder, evident when he top‑edged a sweep and showed visible frustration. Rating: 6 Jamie Smith contributed 25 in the third session when runs were readily available. He may see more opportunities if Cox continues to score, though he is not alone in that battle. Smith earned credit for an improved keeping performance, standing up to Ollie Robinson without fuss. Rating: 6 Gus Atkinson bowled better than his 1‑51 figures suggest, though he appeared out of rhythm, unsurprising given his recent involvement in The Hundred. Rating: 5 Ollie Robinson was the standout performer; his 5‑51 in the first innings came at his peak despite helpful conditions and a sub‑standard Pakistan batting display. After career‑best match figures of 8‑80, the instruction is clear: plug him successful arsenic onslaught person for the adjacent 5 Tests. Rating: 8 Jofra Archer showed improvement in the second innings after a disappointing first spell in which he struggled with line and length, finishing 0‑26. Helping Archer regain consistent form remains an important task for Root. Rating: 6 Josh Tongue matched Robinson’s eight‑wicket haul, a notable achievement given his slow start on day one. He looked uneasy early on but seemed well suited to a four‑pronged pace attack, allowing Root to pick moments to unleash the quick. Rating: 8