Harry Brook came agonisingly close to a first hometown hundred for the second year in a row but England’s revamped batting lineup still had too much for Pakistan on day two at Headingley.
Brook was dismissed for 99 against India in Leeds last summer and seemed certain to make amends as he raced to 91 at close to a run a ball in this first Rothesay Test.
But just as the Yorkshire faithful were preparing to cheer him to three figures, he misread one of Ali Usman’s left-arm spinners and was bowled via a flick off the pad.
Brook, who has just reclaimed top spot in the world batting rankings, flung his head back in disbelief but England were already in a commanding position.
Despite Usman striking twice more before stumps to hurry to a five-for, the hosts still closed 195 ahead on 366 for eight and look well set to push for victory.
Three other batters also failed to convert fifties but a 150-run stand between returning captain Joe Root and newly-installed number three Jordan Cox and another worth 120 from Brook and the recalled Dan Lawrence were more than enough.