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England strengthened their grip on the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley on Day 3 after being bowled out for 409, giving the hosts a commanding 238-run first-innings lead.
Pakistan, who were dismissed for only 171 in their first innings, faced another difficult start in their second innings. Jofra Archer struck early to remove Imam-ul-Haq, while Azan Awais also departed cheaply as Pakistan slipped to 13 for 2.
The result leaves Pakistan with a huge task to stay alive in the opening Test of the three-match series.
England 409 All Out After Strong Batting Performance
England resumed Day 3 looking to extend their advantage after reaching a strong position in their first innings.
The hosts eventually reached 409 all out, with several batters making important contributions.
Harry Brook top-scored with 91, narrowly missing out on a century. Joe Root added 66, while Jordan Cox scored an impressive 73. Dan Lawrence also contributed 51 as England built a substantial lead over Pakistan.
England’s lower order also helped push the total beyond 400, leaving Pakistan facing a daunting deficit before beginning their second innings.
Pakistan’s Ali Usman Takes Five Wickets
Pakistan did have a positive moment with the ball.
Ali Usman claimed 5 for 92, becoming the standout performer for Pakistan during England’s first innings.
However, Pakistan’s bowling attack struggled to prevent England from building partnerships and accumulating runs. England’s ability to convert starts into a large first-innings total proved crucial in determining the balance of the match.
The 238-run lead means Pakistan now need a major batting recovery if they are to set England a meaningful target in the fourth innings.
Jofra Archer Removes Imam-ul-Haq
Pakistan’s second innings began under significant pressure.
England’s Jofra Archer immediately made an impact by dismissing Imam-ul-Haq for a duck with a short delivery. The wicket was particularly valuable because Imam had already made 42 in Pakistan’s first innings and had shown an ability to withstand England’s bowling attack.
Archer’s early breakthrough gave England exactly the start they wanted after securing a huge first-innings advantage.
Azan Awais Falls for Just 9
Pakistan suffered another early setback when opener Azan Awais was dismissed for only 9 runs.
Awais had already endured a difficult first innings, when Ollie Robinson dismissed him with the first ball of the Test. He was unable to make a significant contribution in Pakistan’s second innings either.
With Imam and Awais both gone early, Pakistan were immediately under enormous pressure.
Pakistan Need a Major Batting Recovery
The biggest question for Pakistan now is whether their middle order can produce the type of resistance required to turn the match around.
The visitors need to erase a 238-run deficit before they can even establish a lead. That makes every partnership extremely important.
Shan Masood and the remaining Pakistan batters must focus on survival first. Losing wickets quickly would allow England to attack with aggressive field settings and potentially finish the Test well before the scheduled fifth day.
England’s Bowling Attack in Control
England’s bowlers have been the dominant force throughout the match.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue shared all 10 Pakistan wickets in the first innings, taking five wickets each. Robinson finished with 5/51, while Tongue claimed 5/46.
Archer then added another crucial breakthrough in Pakistan’s second innings.
The combination of pace, movement and disciplined bowling has repeatedly exposed Pakistan’s top order.
England vs Pakistan Test Match Situation
The first Test is being played at Headingley in Leeds from August 19 to 23, 2026, as part of the three-Test series. The series is also part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle.
England entered the match with Joe Root back as Test captain following Ben Stokes’ retirement from Test cricket. Pakistan, meanwhile, were without Babar Azam for the first Test after he suffered a hand injury during a warm-up match. Salman Ali Agha took over the captaincy.
England vs Pakistan Day 3: Key Numbers
- England first innings: 409 all out
- Pakistan first innings: 171 all out
- England first-innings lead: 238 runs
- Harry Brook: 91
- Joe Root: 66
- Jordan Cox: 73
- Dan Lawrence: 51
- Ali Usman: 5/92
- Imam-ul-Haq: 0 in Pakistan’s second innings
- Azan Awais: 9 in Pakistan’s second innings
- Venue: Headingley, Leeds
- Test: 1st Test, England vs Pakistan
- Dates: August 19–23, 2026
SEO Analysis: Why England vs Pakistan Day 3 Is Important
1. England Have a Clear Advantage
A 238-run first-innings lead puts England firmly in control.
Pakistan now need to produce a substantial second-innings total simply to make England bat again.
2. Pakistan’s Top Order Is Under Pressure
The early dismissals of Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais highlight Pakistan’s continuing problems at the top of the order.
After being bowled out for 171 in the first innings, another poor start could expose the middle and lower order to sustained pressure.
3. Jofra Archer Is a Major Threat
Archer’s pace gives England another dimension, particularly when Pakistan are forced to attack after falling so far behind.
His dismissal of Imam-ul-Haq early in the second innings was an important moment in England’s push for victory.
4. England’s Batting Depth Has Made the Difference
England did not rely on a single century to reach 409. Contributions from Brook, Root, Cox and Lawrence allowed the hosts to build a large total through multiple partnerships.
That depth has been crucial in establishing the 238-run advantage.
5. Pakistan Need to Change the Momentum
Pakistan’s best chance is to bat for a long period and eliminate England’s ability to attack with a large lead.
A substantial partnership in the second innings could still make the Test competitive, but another collapse would put England on the brink of victory.
England vs Pakistan Live Score: What to Watch Next
The focus will now be on Pakistan’s second innings.
The visitors need their experienced batters to absorb England’s pressure and build partnerships. Every additional run will reduce England’s chances of completing a straightforward victory.
For England, the objective is simple: continue taking wickets while keeping Pakistan’s scoring rate under control.
If England can remove several more Pakistan batters before the end of Day 3, the hosts could put themselves in an exceptionally strong position to complete a victory on Day 4.
The England vs Pakistan Live Score story on Day 3 has been dominated by England’s control.
England were dismissed for 409, establishing a massive 238-run first-innings lead, before Jofra Archer struck early in Pakistan’s second innings by removing Imam-ul-Haq. Azan Awais then fell for only 9, leaving Pakistan in immediate trouble.
