Leeds, August 21, 2026: Pakistan’s batting collapse in the opening Test against England at Headingley on Friday saw the visitors register a number of unwanted records as they suffered an innings and 103-run defeat in the first match of the three-Test series.
Pakistan, who entered the series after drawing 1-1 away against the West Indies, were outplayed by England’s pace attack after being bowled out for 171 in their first innings.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue claimed five wickets apiece to dismantle Pakistan’s batting, before the visitors’ left-arm spinner Ali Usman responded with a historic five-wicket haul as England were eventually dismissed for 409.
Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence all scored half-centuries for the hosts, who secured a commanding 238-run first-innings lead.
Pakistan needed to overcome the deficit to avoid an innings defeat but were dismissed for just 135 in 37.3 overs, registering their sixth-lowest Test total in England since 2000.
Pakistan’s lowest totals in England since 2000 are:
- 72 at Edgbaston in 2010
- 74 at Lord’s in 2010
- 80 at Trent Bridge in 2010
- 119 at Old Trafford in 2006
- 134 at Headingley in 2018
- 135 at Headingley in 2026
The 135-run total was also Pakistan’s lowest score at Headingley since their 134 in 2018, highlighting the extent of their batting struggles against England’s disciplined pace attack.
The defeat also marked Pakistan’s sixth-biggest innings loss against England. It was their heaviest defeat to England since 2010, when they were beaten by an innings and 225 runs at Lord’s.
England’s biggest innings victories against Pakistan are:
- Innings and 225 runs at Lord’s in 2010
- Innings and 129 runs at Trent Bridge in 1954
- Innings and 120 runs at Old Trafford in 2006
- Innings and 120 runs at Lord’s in 1978
- Innings and 117 runs at Headingley in 1962
- Innings and 103 runs at Headingley in 2026
The result gives England a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and provides Joe Root with an emphatic start to his return as the team’s full-time Test captain.
