England began Joe Root’s return as full-time Test captain in perfect fashion, producing a dominant performance to defeat Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley. The hosts controlled the contest with both bat and ball before completing the victory on the third day. Pakistan struggled to cope with England’s pace attack and were bowled out twice, leaving them with little opportunity to build any sustained pressure.
The result was particularly emphatic considering more than four hours of rain had been lost on the second day. England needed only a short period on the third morning to turn their substantial advantage into a convincing series-opening victory.
England’s fast bowlers leave Pakistan with no answers
Pakistan resumed their second innings 238 runs behind and immediately found themselves in trouble. Jofra Archer removed Imam-ul-Haq early before Azan Awais fell for nine, with Root’s attacking field placements helping England maintain the pressure. Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood briefly added 38 runs, but Ollie Robinson soon broke the partnership by finding Shafique’s edge. Josh Tongue then took charge, dismissing Saud Shakeel, Masood and Salman Agha in a devastating spell.
Robinson continued the collapse by removing Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad, while Mohammad Rizwan provided Pakistan’s only meaningful resistance with a quick 41. Gus Atkinson eventually dismissed Rizwan before Archer and Tongue finished the innings at 135. Robinson and Tongue both finished with eight wickets in the match, while Archer claimed three in Pakistan’s second innings.
Harry Brook and Jordan Cox help England build commanding lead
England had earlier established control after scoring 366 for 8 in their first innings. Harry Brook top-scored with 91, while Jordan Cox made 73 and Root contributed 66. Dan Lawrence also scored a valuable 51. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain England throughout the innings, although Ali Usman stood out with five wickets for 92 runs.
England then dismissed Pakistan for only 171 in the first innings, with Robinson and Tongue taking five wickets apiece. That gave the hosts a 195-run lead, which they extended to 238 before completing the victory. The result gives England a 1-0 lead in the series and provides Root with an ideal start to his latest stint as Test captain.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Total dominance from England at Headingley ⚡
– They win by an innings and 103 runs to go 1-0 up in the series ✅#ENGvPAK #JoeRoot #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/lgjAQTSCVn
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 22, 2026
WHAT A PERFORMANCE 🦁
Dominant with bat and ball 🏏
Victory by an innings and 103 runs in Leeds! 👏 pic.twitter.com/yLIPgBu2Ke
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 21, 2026
England were clinical and thoroughly deserved the win, outplaying Pakistan in all three departments Credit to them.
But Pakistan must show more fight, resilience and belief. Make the opposition earn every inch.
The dismissals and shot selection need a hard look, the mindset and…— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) August 21, 2026
This is utterly abject by Pakistan and it’s a bit depressing. But a good start to Root 2.0 and England have been excellent in the field.
— Elizabeth Ammon (@legsidelizzy) August 21, 2026
ENGLAND HAMMERED PAKISTAN BY AN INNINGS AND 103 RUNS. pic.twitter.com/j4epcgmTAA
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 21, 2026
PAKISTAN IN SENA TESTS SINCE 2018 JUNE:
In England – 3 Lost & 2 Draw.
In Australia – 5 Lost.
In South Africa – 5 Lost.
In New Zealand – 2 Lost.PAKISTAN CRICKET AT THE LOWEST POINT EVER IN OVERSEAS ❌ pic.twitter.com/neVXqDha02
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 21, 2026
Pitiful effort from Pakistan in the Test match. England can only beat what is in front of them , but not sure we can deduce much from it
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) August 21, 2026
🚨 ENGLAND HUMBLES PAKISTAN 🚨
– Pakistan faces an innings defeat against England at Headingley, Leeds, in the first Test match.
– Disastrous performance by both the batters and the bowlers of Pakistan.
– The worst part: these are our so-called senior players, so no one should… pic.twitter.com/vW4nBczn3v
— Rayham. (@RayhamUnplugged) August 21, 2026
England beat Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs. One-way traffic.
— Lawrence Booth (@BoothCricket) August 21, 2026
When Pakistan last won a Test in SENA
Rishabh Pant hadn’t even made his Test debut.Since then, Pant has already registered 10 Test wins in SENA…
Pakistan are still waiting for their next one. 😮💨#ENGvsPAK pic.twitter.com/Tk8vtqx8mW
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) August 21, 2026
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