Joe Root won his first Test back as permanent England captain by an innings and 103 runs as Pakistan were rolled for 135 before tea on day three at Headingley. A visiting side demolished for 171 on day one were bundled out in 37.3 overs second time around after England made 409.

Jofra Archer (3-50), much improved from a rusty first-innings effort, struck twice early to reduce Pakistan to 13-2, while Josh Tongue's (3-43) three-wicket burst post-lunch ended any hope of the visitors reaching day four. Root was rewarded for some funky fields as his team crushed their inexperienced opponents. Gus Atkinson cleaned up top-scorer Mohammad Rizwan (41), with Robinson and Tongue bagging eight wickets each across the match.

England are toasting just a third win in their last 11 Tests, but victory in the second game at Lord's from Thursday would secure a first series win since New Zealand in December 2024.

Stiffer tests of Root's captaincy are still to come - South Africa over the winter under new head coach Stephen Fleming, then next summer's Ashes. Yet this was an encouraging start, with Harry Brook showing welcome restraint during his 93-ball 91 and half-centuries from Root, Lawrence and Cox.