Pakistan suffered a dramatic collapse in their second innings as England tightened their grip on the opening Test at Headingley on Friday. England’s pace attack continued to trouble the Pakistani batting lineup, with Jofra Archer and Ollie Robinson combining to take three crucial wickets during the morning session on the third day.
Pakistan reached lunch at 59-3, still 179 runs behind England’s first-innings total. Shan Masood was unbeaten on 28, while Saud Shakeel was 5 not out. England had earlier been bowled out for 409, securing a commanding 238-run first-innings lead after Pakistan were dismissed for 171.
Pakistan’s second innings got off to a disastrous start when Archer removed experienced opener Imam-ul-Haq for a duck in the second over. The England fast bowler struck again in his following over, dismissing debutant Azan Awais for nine to leave Pakistan struggling at 13-2. Abdullah Shafique then joined Masood at the crease and helped steady the innings. The pair added 38 runs for the third wicket before Robinson dismissed Shafique for 15 in the 14th over.
Pakistan’s batting woes continued after the interval, leaving them six wickets down for 76 runs as England moved closer to securing a comprehensive victory in the first Test. England resumed the third day on 364-8 and added a further 45 runs before being bowled out for 409 in 89.5 overs, strengthening their position in the opening Test.
Jamie Smith and Jofra Archer initially frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers, putting together a 28-run partnership that took England beyond the 400-run mark and further extended their lead. Khurram Shahzad eventually broke the stand, claiming his second wicket of the innings by dismissing Smith for 25 off 52 balls. Smith struck two boundaries during his 52-ball stay at the crease.
Archer continued to contribute valuable runs before being joined by Josh Tongue. Tongue struck Abbas for a boundary down the ground as England moved past 400. Shahzad then completed his three-wicket haul by dismissing Tongue for eight off 10 balls, with the batter hitting two boundaries. Ali Usman was Pakistan’s standout bowler, finishing with figures of 5-95 from 24 overs to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Shahzad took three wickets, while Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali claimed one each.