LEEDS – England kicked off a new era under returning captain Joe Root in emphatic fashion, thrashing Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs inside three days in the first Test at Headingley. Following the departure of Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, England delivered a ruthlessly clinical performance to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The tone was set on day one after England won the toss and chose to bowl. The pace attack dismantled Pakistan for just 171 runs. Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue were the star performers, taking five wickets apiece. Robinson finished with 5/51, while Tongue claimed 5/46. Only Abdullah Shafique offered notable resistance for the tourists with a resolute 61.

England’s batters then took total control of the match, accumulating a massive first-innings total of 409. Harry Brook led the charge with an explosive 91 off 93 balls, while Jordan Cox contributed a stylish 73. Root added a calm 66, and Dan Lawrence chipped in with 51. Despite left-arm spinner Ali Usman securing a maiden Test five-wicket haul (5/95) for Pakistan, England established a commanding 238-run lead.

Pakistan’s second innings crumbled before tea on day three under unrelenting pressure from the host nation’s pacers. They lost Imam-ul-Haq without a run on the board to Jofra Archer, sparking a swift top-order collapse. Root made history during the collapse, taking his 219th Test catch at leg slip to move back above Steve Smith on the all-time non-wicketkeeper catch list.

Though Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with a brief counter-attacking 41, Pakistan were bundled out for 135 in just 37.3 overs. Archer (3/50), Tongue (3/43), and Player of the Match Robinson (3/29) split the wickets in the second outing. Robinson ended with match figures of 8/80, marking a career-best effort.

The victory represents England’s largest innings win over Pakistan at Leeds. The teams now head to Lord’s for the second Test starting on Thursday, with Pakistan needing a drastic turnaround to stay alive in the series.

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