England crush Pakistan at Headingley

Hosts win first Test by an innings and 103 runs to take a 1-0 lead in three-match series

Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat on Friday as England completed an innings and 103 runs victory in the first Test at Headingley, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after dominating with bat and ball.

England had resumed the third day on 366 for eight, holding a 195-run lead over Pakistan's first-innings total of 171. They added 43 runs to reach 409 before being bowled out, extending their advantage to 238.

Jofra Archer, unbeaten on 23 overnight, added only a few more runs before Pakistan wrapped up the England innings. Ali Usman was Pakistan's most successful bowler, finishing with five wickets for 95 runs.

Pakistan's second innings quickly turned into another struggle. Archer removed Imam-ul-Haq for a duck and Azan Awais for nine, leaving the visitors 13 for two.

Shan Masood made 29 and Abdullah Shafique 15, but Pakistan were unable to establish a substantial partnership. Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson continued to trouble the batting order as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Mohammad Rizwan provided the only significant resistance, scoring 41 from 39 balls with five fours. His attacking innings briefly delayed England's victory, but he was eventually bowled by Gus Atkinson.

Pakistan were dismissed for 135 in 37.3 overs, with Robinson, Archer and Tongue taking three wickets each. Atkinson also claimed one wicket while conceding only 11 runs from his eight overs.

The defeat completed a disappointing match for Pakistan, who had been bowled out for 171 in their first innings after England won the toss and elected to field.

Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue had taken five wickets each in that innings, while Abdullah Shafique top-scored for Pakistan with 61. Imam-ul-Haq contributed 42 but the rest of the batting order failed to provide sustained resistance.

England then built a commanding total of 409.

Jordan Cox struck a solid 73, while captain Joe Root made 66. Harry Brook fell nine runs short of a century after scoring 91 from 93 balls, and Dan Lawrence added 51.

The result gives England a strong start to the series and leaves Pakistan needing a significant improvement in their batting in the next Test.

For England, the victory was a comprehensive team performance, with their bowlers exploiting Pakistan's weaknesses and their batsmen making the most of the opportunity to build a sizeable first-innings lead.

Pakistan will now look to regroup before the second Test as they attempt to level the series.

In the Test Pakistan never were seen retaliating. Their batting lacked maturity and their bowling had no sting which was direly needed in English conditions.

Babar Azam’s absence was a major factor which left the batting line up highly truncated.

Babar had been ruled out of the show due to hand injury. However he is expected to be back for the second Test.