England's Josh Tongue, center, celebrates with Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, right, after bowling out Pakistan's Saud Shakeel on day three of the first Test match between England and Pakistan in Leeds, England, Friday Aug. 21, 2026. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)

By The Canadian Press

England thrashes Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs in first test

Aug 21, 2026 | 8:45 AM

LEEDS, England (AP) — England wrapped up an innings win over Pakistan inside three days in the first test on Friday, delivering a strong start to the post-Bazball era under returning captain Joe Root.

Dismissed for 409 around 40 minutes into day three, England took a 238-run advantage into the second innings and skittled Pakistan for 135 in 37.3 overs before tea.

England won by an innings and 103 runs and has a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second test starts on Thursday at Lord’s.

England’s battery of four seamers pestered consistently at a fuller length that’s required at Headingley and Pakistan couldn’t endure it.

Jofra Archer removed the openers with the new ball, Ollie Robinson got three more wickets, Josh Tongue was introduced after lunch and took three wickets averaging 143 kph (89 mph), and Gus Atkinson bowled superbly for the late reward of Pakistan top scorer Mohammad Rizwan.

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Robinson and Tongue each took eight wickets in the match after literally splitting the match ball in half after their five-wicket hauls in the first innings.

England is in a new era following the retirement of captain Ben Stokes and the firing of Brendon McCullum as test coach after the 2-1 series loss to New Zealand in June.

Pakistan arrived with a semblance of confidence after drawing the series in the West Indies this month and playing a warmup match last week. But Pakistan looked rusty and the bowling and fielding less than ordinary. The question, after finishing England’s first innings in the morning, was whether the visitor could force play into a fourth day.

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See AP’s full cricket coverage here

The Associated Press

by The Canadian Press

England thrashes Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs in first test

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