England started their three-match Test series against Pakistan with a resounding win, triumphing by an innings and 103 runs.

The hosts got the job done on day three at Headingley, and with a session to spare, as Joe Root made the perfect start to his return as Test captain.

England added 43 to their overnight total as Jamie Smith (25) and Josh Tongue (8) were both dismissed by Khurram Shahzad (3-133), with England bowled out for 409 and boasting a first-innings lead of 238.

Pakistan made another nightmare start with the bat in their second innings, as Jofra Archer (3-50) removed openers Imam-ul-Haq (0) and Azan Awais (9) in his first two overs.

Abdullah Shafique (15) fell to Ollie Robinson (3-29) before lunch, while Tongue took centre in the afternoon session after picking up the wickets of Saud Shakeel (14), Shan Masood (29) and Salman Agha (4) in the space of six balls.

Mohammad Rizwan (41) was bowled by Gus Atkinson (1-11) before Archer dismissed Mohammad Abbas (6) to seal an emphatic win in Leeds.

WHAT A PERFORMANCE 

Dominant with bat and ball 

Victory by an innings and 103 runs in Leeds!  pic.twitter.com/yLIPgBu2Ke

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 21, 2026

Bazball in the rear-view mirror

There was a lot of talk about how England would perform in their first Test since Ben Stokes retired and Brendon McCullum was dismissed as Test coach.

However, Root's reappointment as captain has gotten off to a brilliant start, and the Yorkshireman even got to celebrate at his home ground.

To win by an innings and some inside three days, during which there were also plenty of rain delays, will give England a lot of much-needed confidence ahead of the second Test at Lord's.

England's seamers were at the heart of the performance, with Robinson and Tongue both taking eight wickets across the two innings.

Tongue's last seven wickets came in just 22 balls; only Trent Boult (21 balls) has taken seven wickets in fewer deliveries in the longest format.

Root, meanwhile, re-took the outright lead for most catches in Tests (219), moving back ahead of Australia's Steve Smith (218).