LEEDS: England were bowled out for 409 in their first innings on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan on Friday, securing a 238-run lead.
Harry Brook top-scored for England with 91 runs, while Jordan Cox made 73, Joe Root scored 66 and Larson contributed 51.
Left-arm spinner Ali Usman was Pakistan’s standout bowler, taking five wickets for 95 runs. Khurram Shahzad claimed three wickets for 133 runs, while Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali took one wicket each.
England resumed play on 366-8, holding a 195-run lead after Pakistan were dismissed for 171 in their first innings. The hosts were eventually bowled out after batting for 89.5 overs.
Ali Usman became the first Pakistan left-arm spinner to take five wickets in a Test innings in England.
Pakistan’s first innings was anchored by Abdullah Shafique, who scored 61, while Imam-ul-Haq made 42 and captain Salman Ali Agha contributed 21. Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Rizwan scored 14 and 12, respectively.
British media labels Pakistan Test side as weakest in 50 years
British media outlets have described Pakistan’s current Test squad touring England as the country’s weakest side in five decades, citing concerns over its batting, bowling and fielding performances.
According to a British media report, Pakistan’s final eight wickets fell for just 74 runs against England, highlighting what it described as a significant decline in the quality of Pakistan’s batting compared with the country’s great teams of the past.
The report also criticised Pakistan’s pace attack, saying the bowlers have lost both speed and quality. Even on the dry Headingley pitch, Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to trouble England’s batters.
Pakistan’s fielding was also described as a major concern, with several misfields and dropped catches allowing Joe Root, Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence to score relatively freely.
The report, however, suggested that wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Pakistan’s spin pairing could offer glimpses of the aggressive cricket associated with some of the country’s stronger sides in the past.
