RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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England made a stunning start to the new era under returning captain Joe Root, thrashing Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs inside three days in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, on Friday. In their first Test since Ben Stokes' retirement and Brendon McCullum's departure as head coach, England produced a dominant all-round performance to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. After bowling Pakistan out for 171 in their first innings, England piled up 409 before dismissing the visitors for just 135 in their second innings. The victory was England's biggest innings win over Pakistan at Headingley and their second successive innings victory over the visitors at the venue, following their innings-and-55-run win in 2018. Robinson, Tongue trigger Pakistan collapse
England won the toss and opted to bowl, and their decision paid immediate dividends as their pace attack dismantled Pakistan's batting order on the opening day. Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue shared all 10 wickets, claiming five apiece as Pakistan slipped from 117/3 to 171 all out. Abdullah Shafique offered the only substantial resistance with a patient 61, but the rest of the Pakistan batting line-up struggled against England's disciplined pace attack. England then ended the opening day strongly at 112/2, laying the foundation for a commanding first-innings lead. Brook, Cox and Root power England ahead
England's batters took complete control on the second day despite several rain interruptions. Harry Brook narrowly missed out on a century, scoring 91 off 93 balls, while Jordan Cox contributed a fluent 73. Root, back as England's Test captain following Stokes' retirement, scored 66, while Dan Lawrence added a brisk 51. Pakistan's left-arm spinner Ali Usman provided some relief for the visitors, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket with figures of 5/95. However, England continued to pile on the runs and eventually reached 409. England's total gave them a massive 238-run first-innings advantage and left Pakistan facing an uphill battle to save the Test. Pakistan crumble again as England seal emphatic win
Pakistan's second innings followed a familiar pattern as their top order once again struggled against England's pace attack. The visitors reached lunch at 59/3, but a brief resistance from Mohammad Rizwan, who top-scored with 41, could not prevent another collapse. Jofra Archer and Robinson took charge of the attack as England wrapped up the Pakistan innings for 135 in just 37.3 overs. Archer claimed 3/50, while Robinson finished with 3/29 as England's pacers completed a comprehensive victory before the tea interval. Pakistan's total of 135 is among their lowest scores in England since 2000, with only their scores of 72, 74 and 80 in 2010, and 119 in 2006 lower during that period. It was also only the second time England's pace bowlers had taken all 20 Pakistan wickets in a Test, the previous instance coming at Lord's in 2001.
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