Pakistan registered several unwanted records after suffering an innings and 103-run defeat against England in the first Test at Headingley. The loss gave England a 1-0 lead in the three-match away series.
Pakistan entered the series after drawing their away series against the West Indies 1-1. However, the team struggled against England’s pace attack and failed to build strong partnerships in either innings.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue played a key role in England’s bowling performance. Both pacers claimed five wickets each as Pakistan were bowled out for just 171 runs in their first innings.
England responded strongly and posted 409 runs before being bowled out. Ali Usman produced a historic five-wicket haul for Pakistan, but the hosts still built a huge first-innings lead.
Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence all scored half-centuries for England. Their contributions helped England establish a 238-run lead over Pakistan after the first innings.
Pakistan needed a major batting improvement in their second innings to avoid an innings defeat. However, the visitors struggled again and were dismissed for only 135 runs in 37.3 overs.
Pakistan’s second-innings total became their sixth-lowest Test score in England since 2000. Their lowest total during the period remains 72 runs, which they recorded against England at Edgbaston in 2010.
Pakistan’s lowest Test totals in England since 2000 include 72 at Edgbaston in 2010, 74 at Lord’s in 2010 and 80 at Trent Bridge in 2010. They also scored 119 at Old Trafford in 2006 and 134 at Headingley in 2018.
The 103-run innings defeat also became Pakistan’s sixth-biggest innings defeat against England. It was their heaviest innings loss against England since 2010.
Pakistan had suffered an innings and 225-run defeat against England at Lord’s in 2010. They also lost by an innings and 129 runs at Trent Bridge in 1954.
Other major innings defeats included losses by 120 runs at Old Trafford in 2006 and 120 runs at Lord’s in 1978. Pakistan also suffered an innings and 117-run defeat at Headingley in 1962.
The defeat will put additional pressure on Pakistan ahead of the second Test. The visitors will need a significant improvement in their batting and bowling performance to level the series.
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