{
  "id": 2397997,
  "title": "England rout Pakistan to go one up in Test series",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/england-rout-pakistan-to-go-one-up-in-test-series-2397997",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-21T15:18:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40435969/england-rout-pakistan-to-go-one-up-in-test-series"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a dominant display at Headingley, England demolished Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs, securing a one-sided first Test and continuing Joe Root's second spell as permanent captain in style. The psychological impact of England's defeat by New Zealand eight weeks prior was decisively put behind them. England's fierce pace attack dismantled the struggling Pakistani side, despite the loss of over half a day to rain on the third day.\n\nWith the tourists finishing at 135 in 37.3 overs, England had reached 409 after adding 43 runs to their overnight score, giving them a first innings lead of 238. Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson were exceptional, each finishing with 3-43 and 3-29 respectively, marking their best-ever match figures in a Test career. For the second time during the match, Pakistan suffered defeat when their first wicket fell without a run on the board, as Imam-ul-Haq was caught by Jamie Smith off Jofra Archer in the second over.\n\nArcher's second over saw Pakistan's downfall accelerate, with Azan Awais caught at leg slip by Root, who had moved there for a strategic captaincy decision. Root's 219th Test catch put him ahead of Steve Smith in the all-time non-wicketkeeper list. Saud Shakeel edged Tongue to Dan Lawrence at an unusual backward square leg position, while Shan Masood, who scored 29 from 56 balls, was also dismissed by Tongue, completing a hat-trick. Salman Ali Agha prevented a hat-trick, but the Pakistan captain was eventually caught lbw off Robinson.\n\nThe erosion of Pakistan's bowling attack was evident, as Ali Usman nicked Robinson to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who made a diving catch, followed by Khurram Shahzad being taken by another sharp catch from Jamie Cox. Archer's 3-50 was the final blow, with Mohammad Abbas dismissed to conclude the match. For Pakistan, the series in the West Indies earlier this month seemed like a false dawn, as the disparity between the two teams' seam attacks, batting lineups, and fielding prowess became glaringly clear. The second Test in the three-match series faces Lord's on Thursday, when Pakistan will be hoping to return captain Babar Azam after a finger injury.",
  "summary": "LEEDS: England crushed Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs to win a one-sided first Test at Headingley and launch Joe Root’s second spell as permanent captain in style. 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. A…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}