Match Summary: First Rothesay Test
- Result: England won by an innings and 103 runs, leading the three-match series 1-0
- England: 409 (Brook 91, Cox 73, Root 66; Usman 5-95)
- Pakistan: 171 (Shafique 61; Tongue 5-46, Robinson 5-51) and 135 (Rizwan 41)
England launched Joe Root’s second stint as captain with a decisive victory over a struggling Pakistan side, wrapping up the first Test at Headingley inside three days. The hosts dominated the tourists, dismissing them for 135 in their second innings to secure an innings-and-103-run win.
Following a period of significant off-field instability and a string of poor performances that included the retirement of former captain Ben Stokes and the departure of Test coach Brendon McCullum, this result serves as a vital boost for England. It marks only their third victory in 11 matches.
Despite the emphatic nature of the win, the quality of the opposition raised questions about how much England could truly gauge from the performance. The team resumed on day three at 366-8 and pushed their total to 409, setting a target that left Pakistan needing 238 to force England to bat again.
The collapse was swift, beginning when Jofra Archer dismissed Imam-ul-Haq in the 11th delivery of the second innings. By the lunch break on Friday, with three wickets already down, it became evident the match would conclude well ahead of schedule.
Josh Tongue proved instrumental after the interval, claiming three wickets in just two overs to finish with match figures of 8-89. Ollie Robinson was equally effective, recording a career-best match haul of 8-80. England now look ahead to the second Test at Lord’s, which begins next Thursday, with the opportunity to clinch the series.
