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England beat Pakistan by innings and 103 runs
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The gist
England beat Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs in the first Test at Headingley. Root's second captaincy era starts with a dominant win.
Background
England's new Test captain Joe Root began his second stint with a comprehensive victory over Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley. The match was part of a three-match series, with England taking a 1-0 lead. Pakistan were without their star batsman Babar Azam, and England's seamers exploited helpful conditions to bowl them out cheaply.
How it unfolded
- Aug 18, 2026Match preview highlights England's post-Bazball era under returning captain Joe Root, with Pakistan missing Babar Azam.
- Aug 20, 2026England closed day two on 366 for eight, extending their first-innings lead to 195, with half-centuries from Cox, Brook, Root, and Lawrence.
- Aug 21, 2026England bowled Pakistan out for 135 in their second innings to win by an innings and 103 runs inside three days.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Cricket analysts noted England's seam attack, with Tongue and Robinson taking five wickets each, as key to the victory.