England romp to three-day win as new Test era starts in style

England thrash Pakistan inside three days as Joe Root's second era as captain starts with innings win at Headingley England cruise to 1-0 lead in three-match series versus Pakistan; Joe Root rewarded for funky fields as hosts skittle tourists for 135 in second innings; England can wrap up first series victory since December 2024 by winning second Test at Lord's from Thursday, live on Sky Sports Friday 21 August 2026 15:54, UK Joe Root won his first Test back as permanent England captain by an innings and 103 runs with Pakistan rolled for 135 before tea on day three at Headingley. A visiting side who had been demolished for 171 in 48.1 overs on day three were bundled out in 37.3 second time around in Leeds after England made 409 in their sole innings of the series opener. Jofra Archer (3-50), much improved from a rusty first-innings effort, struck twice early on to reduce Pakistan to 13-2 and Josh Tongue's (3-43) three-wicket burst post-lunch, including that of Shan Masood (29), pretty much ended any hope of the visitors making it to day four. Root was rewarded for some funky fields - Azan Awais (9) clipped Archer to him at leg slip, Saud Shakeel (14) picked out Dan Lawrence in an unorthodox backward square spot off Tongue - as his team crushed their inexperienced opponents. - Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream no contract - Scorecard: England vs Pakistan, first Test, Headingley - England vs Pakistan - as it happened on day one in Leeds Gus Atkinson (1) cleaned up a swiping top-scorer Mohammad Rizwan (41) to put England on the brink before Mohammad Abbas (6) ballooned Archer to Lawrence to end a one-sided contest, one in which Ollie Robinson (3-29) and Tongue bagged eight wickets each, England are now toasting just a third win in their last 11 Tests and if they triumph in the second game at Lord's from Thursday - 11am first ball, live on Sky Sports - they will secure a first series victory since a 2-1 success in New Zealand in December 2024. They did thrash Zimbabwe in a one-off game at Trent Bridge last summer but have lost two and drawn one of their last three multi-match contests, with a 2-2 stalemate against India preceding a 4-1 drubbing in Australia and 2-1 home defeat to New Zealand. More to follow. Watch one of the second Test between England and Pakistan, at Lord's, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am on Thursday (11am first ball). Stream cricket and more contract-free with NOW. England vs Pakistan Test series schedule All games live on Sky Sports; all 11am starts UK and Ireland - First Test (Headingley) - England win by innings and 103 runs - Second Test (Lord's) - August 27-31 - Third Test (Edgbaston) - September 9-13 [Image text:] SFFFE TOYOTA TCL PEPSI 26