LEEDS, England: Pakistan’s hopes of a miraculous recovery at Headingley evaporated further on Friday as the visitors slumped to 50-2 in their second innings, still trailing England by a mammoth 188 runs after being bowled out for 171 in their first innings.
The writing is on the wall for Shan Masood’s men, who now face the grim prospect of an innings defeat after England piled on 409 in their first innings, establishing a commanding 238-run lead that already looks insurmountable.
🚨 Pakistan’s 2nd innings 😭
Not even 5 overs into the innings and Jofra Archer has already picked up 2 wickets. 💀
Babar Azam would’ve been packing his bags for the pavilion by now… but well, he’s not even playing this match. 😭😂
Pakistan really chose the perfect time to…
— Cricket News (@CricketNews_63) August 21, 2026
Openers fall early in second dig
Pakistan’s response to England’s total got off to the worst possible start, with both openers back in the pavilion for just 50 runs on the board.
Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais, entrusted with the daunting task of surviving against a rampant England bowling attack, failed to provide any stability as the home side’s seamers exploited the Headingley conditions to perfection.
With the pitch offering increasing assistance to the fast bowlers and a mountain of runs still to chase, Pakistan’s batters face an almost impossible task to save the Test.
Jofra Archer New Ball Spell 2-27 (5.0) vs Pakistan | 1st Test, 2026 – Leeds | Ball By Ball Highlights pic.twitter.com/yIPSouWUt5
— PctMedia (@PctMediaa) August 21, 2026
England extend dominance on day three
Earlier in the day, England added 43 runs to their overnight score of 366-8, taking their total to a formidable 409.
Pakistan’s bowlers finally wrapped up the innings, but not before England had stretched their lead beyond the 200-run mark – a psychological blow that left the visitors demoralized even before their second innings began.
Usman’s heroics overshadowed
Thursday’s historic achievement by Ali Usman – who became the first overseas spinner since 1972 to claim a five-wicket haul at Headingley – now feels like a distant memory.
The 27-year-old left-armer had produced a mesmerising spell on the rain-curtailed second day, removing Harry Brook (91), Gus Atkinson, and Ollie Robinson to complete his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
His feat ended a remarkable 54-year drought for visiting spinners at the iconic Yorkshire venue, with Australia’s Ashley Mallett the last to achieve the distinction during the 1972 Ashes.
England’s batting foundation proves decisive
England’s commanding total was built on the back of fluent contributions from Joe Root (66), Jordan Cox (73), and Dan Lawrence (51), alongside a blazing 91 from Harry Brook – who fell agonizingly short of a century at his home ground for the second consecutive year.
The hosts resumed their innings at 112-2 after rain delayed the start on Thursday, and they never looked back, with Root and Cox stitching together a 150-run third-wicket partnership before Lawrence shared a 120-run fifth-wicket stand with Brook.
Survival mission ahead
With only third day’s play underway on Thursday, Pakistan face a monumental challenge to save the Test.
The visitors’ batting lineup, which crumbled for 171 in the first innings, must now find a way to bat out three days against a relentless England attack on a pitch that continues to offer movement.
Usman’s historic five-wicket haul may have given Pakistan a moment of pride in Headingley’s long history, but it appears increasingly likely that his heroics will only be a footnote in what is shaping up to be a comprehensive England victory.
