British singer wins hearts with Pakistan anthem at Headingley

Hassan August 20, 2026 Sports
British singer Pakistan anthem

The charm of English singer Laura Wright moved both Pakistani and English cricket fans on Wednesday as she sang Pakistan’s national anthem before the first Test between Pakistan and England at Headingley.

Wright sang Pakistan’s National Anthem (without any musical accompaniment) with great enthusiasm.

The audience was captivated by her performance, and the final rendition of the anthem received a warm reception and was well-loved by the crowd.

This memorable moment came before the start of an eventful match. This match is also Joe Root’s second stint as England’s permanent Test skipper in the Leeds Test.

The England team chose to bowl after winning the toss and gave Pakistan a run for their money, taking wicket after wicket.

Fast bowler Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue were the top performers, picking up five wickets each.

Read more: “Position doesn’t matter, Pakistan cricket comes first”: Shan Masood after Pakistan’s defeat

The England side also performed admirably with the bat with a decent start to their first innings making 112 runs for 2 wickets at the end of day 1.

England now trails Pakistan by 59 runs, the hosts looked well set up for the second day.

There was also a memorable moment in the cricketing world.

As England’s bowling innings ended, Tongue and Robinson took half the ball which was used during England’s bowling. They both took 5 wickets each.

They didn’t quarrel about who would have the cherished memento, but they agreed to share it.

The England team management then passed the ball on to the Headingley ground staff, who sliced it right down the middle, so that each bowler could take half home.

The two five-wicket hauls were the 16th time two England bowlers took five wickets in the same Test innings.

The last time this happened was in 2006 when Simon Harmison and Monty Panesar did it at Old Trafford against Pakistan.

Also read: PCB appoints new batting coach for Pakistan cricket team