"Historic Test: Leach's Heroics Propel England to Innings Victory Over Pakistan"

Jack Leach bowls brilliantly, leading England to a famous innings win over Pakistan in a historic Test match.

Jack Leach's exceptional bowling performance helped England secure a historic win, bundling Pakistan out for just 220 runs in the second innings, thereby clinching victory by an innings and 47 runs. This match marked a significant moment in Test cricket history, as it was the first time a team lost by an innings despite scoring over 500 runs in their first innings.

On the penultimate day, Pakistan's top order faltered in their second innings after England had established a mammoth lead. Entering the final day, Pakistan still trailed by 115 runs with only four wickets in hand.

Agha Salman and Aamer Jamal, however, showed resilience, keeping the English bowlers at bay for nearly an hour in the morning session. Salman, who had previously scored a century in the first innings, continued his strong performance by reaching a half-century early in the day. England, lacking significant movement, resorted to a short-ball strategy, but Jamal weathered the storm despite some close calls.

The pair formed a solid partnership, stretching to 109 runs, marking the first century stand by a seventh-wicket pair for Pakistan in the third innings. Their efforts brought Pakistan closer to overcoming the first-innings deficit, raising hopes of extending the match into a fourth innings.

Unfortunately, their defiance came to an end when Salman was trapped leg before wicket by Leach. He reviewed the decision, but the call stood. Jamal continued to battle, reaching his half-century but ultimately could not fend off the English attack as wickets tumbled.

With Abrar Ahmad hospitalized and unable to bat, Pakistan's innings concluded when Naseem Shah was stumped off Leach’s flatter delivery, sealing England’s innings victory. Leach’s brilliant spell captured all three wickets to fall on the final day, while the foundations for the win were laid by Harry Brook and Joe Root, who amassed an imposing total of 823 for 7 declared in response to Pakistan's first-innings total of 556.

This defeat marked Pakistan's sixth consecutive loss and extended their winless streak at home to 11 matches.

Brief Scores:Pakistan 556 & 220 (Agha Salman 63, Aamer Jamal 55*; Jack Leach 4-30) lost to England 823/7 decl. (Harry Brook 317, Joe Root 262; Naseem Shah 2-157) by an innings and 47 runs. credits-https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/131960/leach-bowls-england-to-famous-win