Leeds, Aug 21 (V7N) – England were dismissed for 409 on the third day of the first Test at Headingley, securing a commanding first-innings lead of 238 runs after adding 41 runs to their overnight total of 366-8.
Resuming well-placed, England saw Jamie Smith miscue to midwicket for 25, while Jofra Archer contributed an unbeaten 23, including a pulled six off Khurram Shahzad. Last man Josh Tongue struck two impressive straight-driven fours before Shahzad (3-133) bowled him for eight.
Pakistan's left-arm spinner Ali Usman provided a rare highlight for the tourists, completing his maiden Test five-wicket haul with figures of 5-95 in 24 overs. Usman became just the fourth Pakistan spinner to take five wickets in a Test innings in England, joining Abdul Qadir, Mushtaq Ahmed and Yasir Shah. He is also the first opposition spinner to achieve the feat at Headingley since Australia's Ashley Mallett in 1972.
Four England batsmen had made half-centuries on Thursday without converting to hundreds: Harry Brook (91), Jordan Cox (73), Joe Root (66) and Dan Lawrence (51). For Brook, it was the second time in two years he had been dismissed in the 90s on his Yorkshire home ground, following his 99 against India in 2025.
England's strong position was built on the opening day when pacemen Ollie Robinson (5-51) and Josh Tongue (5-46) shared all 10 Pakistan first-innings wickets, bowling out the visitors for 171.
This is England's first Test of the post-Bazball era, with former captain Ben Stokes having retired from all international cricket and Brendon McCullum sacked as red-ball coach following the series loss to New Zealand in June. With a lead of 238, England are firmly in control and will look to push for victory as the match progresses.
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