England Crush Pakistan by Innings and 103 Runs at Headingley

England launched their post-Bazball era with an emphatic innings-and-103-run win over Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley on Friday. The hosts dismissed Pakistan for 135 in their second innings after building a first-innings lead of 238, sealing a comprehensive result with more than two days remaining.

The victory was an ideal start to Joe Root’s second spell as England’s full-time Test captain. It was England’s third win in 11 Tests and came after Ben Stokes retired from international cricket following a home series defeat by New Zealand in June, with Brendon McCullum also leaving his role as red-ball coach shortly afterwards.

England’s bowlers complete a dominant Test

Pakistan began the final innings at 51-2 but lost four wickets for 25 runs as England took control. Jofra Archer removed both openers, while Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson again caused major problems after sharing all 10 wickets in Pakistan’s first-innings total of 171.

Archer struck in Pakistan’s first over for the second time in the match when Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed for a duck. Trying to evade a short delivery, Imam gloved the ball to wicket-keeper Jamie Smith. Azan Awais, who had made a golden duck in the first innings, reached nine before clipping Archer straight to Root at leg slip.

The catch gave England a significant early breakthrough and left Pakistan 13-2. Abdullah Shafique, whose 61 had been Pakistan’s standout effort in the first innings, made 15 before edging a full-length Robinson delivery to Harry Brook at second slip.

Pakistan were 59-3 at lunch, but Tongue then produced a decisive burst. His triple strike included two wickets in an over as Pakistan slipped to 76-6. Shan Masood, a former Yorkshire player, was caught at first slip for 29, while stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha was given lbw four balls later. Agha reviewed the decision, but replays indicated the ball would have clipped leg stump.

Mohammad Rizwan offered brief resistance with a rapid 41, Pakistan’s top score of the innings, before Gus Atkinson bowled him with the tourists 131-9. Archer ended the match when Mohammad Abbas holed out, giving the fast bowler figures of 3-50 from 10.3 overs. Archer, Tongue and Robinson took three wickets apiece on Friday.

First-innings lead set up England’s victory

England had resumed on 366-8 overnight and moved on to 409, establishing the match-defining lead after Pakistan’s first-innings 171. Harry Brook top-scored with 91, while Jordan Cox made 73, Root contributed 66 and recalled batter Dan Lawrence added 51. None of the four England players who reached fifty converted their innings into a century, but their combined contribution gave the bowlers a substantial target to defend.

Pakistan’s rare positive in the first innings was Ali Usman’s 5-95, the left-arm spinner’s maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Yet England’s seam attack ensured that effort did not alter the direction of the match. Robinson finished as player of the match with overall figures of 8-80, while Tongue returned 8-89 across the Test.

The result gives England a decisive opening win and leaves Pakistan with little time to regroup. Pakistan have not won a red-ball series in England for 30 years, and the second Test at Lord’s is scheduled to begin on Thursday.