England's strong performance in the first Test against Pakistan showcases their dominance on the Pakistani soil, with a record-setting partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root leading them to victory. England's bowlers led by Jack Leach ensured a quick dismissal of the hosts on the fifth day, securing an innings and 47 runs win and drawing first blood in the three-match series. This win marks England's fourth consecutive Test triumph against Pakistan on their home ground, with several new milestones achieved by the team including their highest and second-highest individual scores by Brook and Root respectively.
England's Dominance on Pakistani Soil: A Comprehensive Report
Background
England and Pakistan have a long-standing rivalry in cricket, with their Test series often providing thrilling and intense encounters. The recent Test match, held in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, marked the commencement of a three-match series between the two sides.
England's Triumph in the First Test
England delivered a dominant performance in the first Test, securing an impressive innings and 47 runs victory over Pakistan. A record-breaking partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root played a pivotal role in England's success. Brook scored a colossal 153 runs, while Root contributed with a magnificent 122, propelling England to a massive total of 657/10 declared in their first innings.
Pakistan's response was lackluster, with their batters failing to put up a significant resistance. England's bowlers, led by Jack Leach, proved to be too formidable for the home team. Leach claimed nine wickets in the match, including a five-wicket haul in Pakistan's second innings, as England rolled over their opponents for 304 and 268 runs.
Significance of the Victory
England's victory in the first Test holds significant implications for the series. It marked their fourth consecutive Test triumph against Pakistan on Pakistani soil, a remarkable feat showcasing their dominance in recent encounters. Furthermore, the individual milestones achieved by Brook and Root added to the significance of the win. Brook's 153 became England's highest individual score in Pakistan, while Root's 122 represented the team's second-highest score in the country.
Top 5 FAQs
1. When was the first Test between England and Pakistan played?
2. Who were the centurions for England in the first Test?
3. Who led England to victory in the first Test?
4. Who was named Man of the Match in the first Test?
5. What is the current scoreline in the three-match Test series?
Despite strong domestic form, Indian batsmen Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan failed to attract any bids in the IPL 2026 auction, while Kolkata Knight Riders shelled out a record Rs 25.20 crore to secure Australian all-rounder Cameron Green. Shaw's lack of bids comes after being released by Delhi Capitals, despite his success with Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan's omission raises eyebrows after his rapid 73 off 22 balls and fastest Mumbai fifty in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
The IPL 2026 mini auction is underway in Abu Dhabi, with all franchises vying for top players to strengthen their squads. With only 77 slots available for 369 players, intense bidding has already taken place, resulting in some high-priced purchases. Among the most expensive players bought so far are Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana, and Indian all-rounders Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma. With big-name players still up for grabs, it will be interesting to see who will come out on top at the end of the auction.
Indian cricketer Ravi Bishnoi made headlines on Tuesday as he was picked by Rajasthan Royals for a staggering amount of Rs. 7.20 crore at the IPL 2026 Auction. The leg-spinner, who previously played for Lucknow Super Giants in the 2025 season, had a base price of Rs. 2 crore and sparked a bidding war between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. Ultimately, it was Rajasthan Royals who emerged victorious, securing Bishnoi for a lucrative deal.
As the IPL 2026 auction approaches, Venkatesh Iyer delivers a stunning innings for Madhya Pradesh with 70 runs off 43 deliveries, just hours before the crucial event. With franchises keeping a close eye on players, Venkatesh's display at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy adds to his already impressive resume, after a breakout season in 2021 with the Kolkata Knight Riders and strong performances for Madhya Pradesh during the limited-overs season.
In a dominant performance, New Zealand claimed a nine-wicket victory against the West Indies in the second test match, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Seamer Jacob Duffy took five wickets, his second five-wicket haul in Tests, while debutant Michael Rae also impressed with three wickets. Despite a strong start from Brandon King and Kavem Hodge, the West Indies fell to the New Zealand bowlers and now trail 1-0 in the three-match series.
In a stunning move, Kolkata Knight Riders splurged a whopping Rs 18 crore for Sri Lankan bowler Matheesha Pathirana in the ongoing IPL 2026 auction. Known for his deadly yorkers and impressive bowling speed, Pathirana is an explosive addition to KKR's already formidable bowling attack.His previous performance in IPL 2023 for Chennai Super Kings, where he took 19 wickets at an economy of 8.01, caught the attention of the team owners. However, his form seemed to have dipped in IPL 2025, leading to his release. With this massive bid, KKR is clearly determined to create a winning team for the upcoming season.
Despite being listed as a batter instead of an all-rounder at the 2026 IPL auction, Cameron Green confirms he will be available to bowl in the upcoming season. The 26-year-old, who has previously represented Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, missed the previous season while recovering from back surgery. However, he has since been cleared to bowl and has been performing effectively as a full all-rounder for Australia in the ongoing Ashes series.
In a shocking start to the IPL 2026 auction, Prithvi Shaw, with a base price of INR 75 lac, did not receive any bids. This was the second consecutive year where the young batter has gone unsold, despite being in decent form in the Indian domestic circuit. Despite interest from Kolkata Knight Riders, who have the largest purse of INR 64.30 crore, Shaw was not picked by any team. His off-the-field antics and recent switch to the Maharashtra state team may have affected his bids.
South African cricket star Quinton de Kock has been added to the Mumbai Indians roster for the upcoming Indian Premier League season. The explosive wicket-keeper batsman was bought for Rs. 1 crore in the auction held on Tuesday, following his impressive performance in the T20I match against India last week. This news has caught the attention of cricket fans and generated excitement for De Kock's potential impact on the team.
The Indian Premier League auction in Abu Dhabi was filled with surprises and big-spending as Kolkata Knight Riders snagged top Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a whopping Rs 25.20 crore. Meanwhile, Indian stars Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan went unsold despite their recent strong performances. Delhi Capitals also picked up South African batter David Miller for his base price of Rs 2 crore, while New Zealand's Devon Conway did not receive any bids. With a total of 359 players up for auction, including 113 overseas players, the mini auction proved to be an exciting event for cricket fans.