England have defeated Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs in the first Test. Even before the start of the series, former England pacer Stuart Broad had called Pakistan a “poor side”, and Pakistan’s performance in the opening Test has only brought that comment back into discussion.
Losing by an innings and 103 runs is not the biggest problem here. As an Asian team, when you travel to England and play in completely different conditions, such performances can happen.
The bigger concern was the way Pakistan lost this Test. They looked completely clueless at times, and there was hardly any fight from the players.
England Beat Pakistan by an Innings and 103 Runs as Visitors Show Little Fight
There is a difference between losing after putting up a fight and simply surrendering when things get difficult.
Pakistan were clearly outplayed, but more importantly, there was hardly any spirited performance from the team. No player looked ready to stay at the crease, absorb the pressure and make England work hard for wickets.
Whether it was Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan or captain Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan’s experienced players failed to provide the resistance the team needed.
They simply had no answers against Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Jofra Archer.
Pakistan Could Have Made a Comeback With the Ball
Even if we accept that Pakistan’s batting struggled because of the difficult English conditions, their bowlers still had an opportunity to bring the team back into the match.
England have only two established stars in Joe Root and Harry Brook, and Pakistan had opportunities against the rest of the batting order.
They could have put pressure on players like Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence and tried to dismiss them cheaply.
Instead, Cox scored 73 and Lawrence hit a half-century. Harry Brook was also given a life after Pakistan dropped his catch.
Pakistan failed to take their opportunities, and England made them pay.
Pakistan Bowled Out for Just 171 in First Innings
Pakistan batted first and were bundled out for only 171.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue completely dominated the Pakistan batting line-up. Both pacers picked up five wickets each, meaning just two England bowlers accounted for all 10 wickets in Pakistan’s first innings.
Abdullah Shafique was Pakistan’s best batter, scoring 61 runs. Imam-ul-Haq also contributed 42 and helped Pakistan reach 171.
Apart from these two, there was very little resistance from the rest of the batting line-up.
Harry Brook, Jordan Cox and Joe Root Punish Pakistan
England responded with a massive 409 in their first innings, taking a 238-run lead.
Harry Brook played an excellent knock of 91, while Jordan Cox scored 73. Joe Root contributed 66, and Dan Lawrence also scored 51.
Pakistan’s bowlers failed to build sustained pressure on the England batting line-up.
However, spinner Ali Usman was one of the few positives for Pakistan as he picked up five wickets.
Interestingly, in conditions where Pakistan’s fast bowlers were expected to make the biggest impact, it was their spinner who ended up taking five wickets.
Pakistan Collapse Again for 135
Trailing by 238 runs, Pakistan needed a much better batting performance in their second innings. Instead, things became even worse.
Pakistan were bowled out for just 135.
Mohammad Rizwan fought his way to 41, but there was hardly any support from the other end. It was almost a case of one batter following another back to the dressing room.
England’s pacers once again dominated.
Ollie Robinson picked up three wickets, Jofra Archer took three and Josh Tongue also finished with three. Gus Atkinson claimed the remaining wicket.
Across both innings, England’s fast bowlers were simply too good for Pakistan.
Salman Ali Agha’s Captaincy Under Scrutiny
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha will also face plenty of questions after this defeat.
His decision-making, field placements and overall approach on the field will come under scrutiny. More importantly, Pakistan’s body language did not suggest that they believed they could fight their way back into the contest.
Abdullah Shafique showed some resistance with the bat in the first innings, while Ali Usman impressed with his five-wicket haul.
Apart from a few individual efforts, however, Pakistan produced a very poor team performance.
Pakistan Need to Show Some Fight in the Next Test
England beat Pakistan by an innings and 103 runsbut the margin of defeat should not be Pakistan’s only concern.
Teams lose Test matches. Asian teams can struggle in English conditions, especially when the ball is moving around. There is nothing unusual about that.
What Pakistan fans will expect, however, is a spirited performance.
They want to see their players fight, stay at the crease, make England work for every wicket and show some intent even when the match is moving away from them.
That fight was largely missing in the first Test.
Pakistan still have an opportunity to respond in the series. But before worrying about combinations and tactical changes, they need to show much better body language and a willingness to battle through difficult situations in the next Test.
The fact that England beat Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs tells the story of a one-sided Test, but the manner of the defeat will hurt Pakistan more than the final margin.
Dominant victory for England 🏴🔥
England cruise to an emphatic victory, defeating Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs🏏💥 pic.twitter.com/veR920ue44
— Tezzbuzz (@Tezzbuzz) August 21, 2026