England rout Pakistan to go one up in test series

England launched Joe Root's second spell as permanent captain with a resounding victory, crushing Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs in a one-sided first test at Headingley. The dominant performance emphatically put behind them the struggles that accompanied their series defeat to New Zealand eight weeks prior, which saw Ben Stokes step down and Brendon McCullum relieved of his red-ball coaching duties.

The match concluded before tea on the third day, despite over half a day lost to rain. England added 43 runs to their overnight score, reaching 409 and establishing a first-innings lead of 238. Their formidable pace attack then systematically dismantled Pakistan's batting order. Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer with 41 runs as Pakistan was bowled out for 135 in 37.3 overs. Josh Tongue took 3-43 and Ollie Robinson claimed 3-29, with both bowlers achieving career-best match figures of 8-89 and 8-80, respectively.

Pakistan's batting woes were evident from the outset, losing their first wicket without a run on the board for the second time in the match. Imam-ul-Haq gloved an early delivery from Jofra Archer, and the procession continued. Azan Awais was caught by Root at leg slip in Archer's next over, marking Root's 219th test catch, surpassing Australia's Steve Smith for the most by a non-wicketkeeper. Root's captaincy proved astute, contributing to key dismissals, including a fine diving catch by Dan Lawrence off a shot from Saud Shakeel.

Further collapses followed, with Shan Masood edging Tongue to slip for 29, and Tongue being on a hat-trick for the second time in the match. Although Salman Ali Agha averted the hat-trick, the Pakistan captain was subsequently trapped lbw. The fielding and bowling performance for England was near flawless, culminating in sharp catches by Jamie Smith and Jamie Cox off Robinson's bowling. Archer sealed the match by dismissing Mohammad Abbas, finishing with figures of 3-50. For Pakistan, the series began as a stark contrast to their recent shared series in the West Indies, revealing a significant gulf in the quality of seam attacks, batting adaptability, and fielding athleticism.

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The convulsions which accompanied the series defeat by New Zealand eight weeks ago, with Ben Stokes stepping down and coach Brendon McCullum being relieved of his red-ball duties, were emphatically put behind them by England.