England 1-0 after thrashing Pakistan by innings, 47 runs in first Test showdown
1. Tourists reduce Pakistan to 220-9 after some early resistance
England secured a remarkable innings and 47-run victory over Pakistan on the fifth day of their record-breaking opening Test, overcoming a spirited fightback from the injury-depleted hosts on Friday.
With Abrar Ahmed unable to bat due to illness, England reduced Pakistan to 220-9, sparking celebrations among a small but enthusiastic group of travelling fans. Pakistan began the day precariously placed at 152-6, and Salman Agha was the first to fall in the morning after a defiant 63, breaking his crucial 109-run stand with Aamer Jamal. Jack Leach's introduction proved pivotal in removing Salman.
Earlier, England’s pace attack relentlessly targeted the overnight batsmen with bouncers. Jamal, who had been struck on the side of the head by a fierce Brydon Carse delivery, recovered well to reach his half-century. He was given a reprieve when stand-in captain Ollie Pope dropped a difficult catch at square leg—England’s fifth dropped catch of the innings—and finished unbeaten on 55.
Leach then produced a stunning return catch to dismiss Shaheen Afridi, followed by stumping Naseem Shah to seal the win.
England had declared after amassing a mammoth 823-7 in 150 overs, their highest total in 86 years. Harry Brook's monumental 317 and Joe Root's 262 formed the backbone of their colossal total. Despite a lifeless pitch at Multan Cricket Stadium, England’s bowlers extracted every bit of assistance to rattle Pakistan on the fourth day.
Pakistan, who had posted an impressive 556 in their first innings, found themselves trailing by 115 runs and crumbled under pressure on the final day.
**Playing XI:**
**Pakistan**: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
**England**: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir
