Former England captain Michael Vaughan has warned that Pakistan are in a troubling position after their heavy first-Test defeat at Headingley, admitting he “really fears” for a side he felt looked more timid than any Pakistan team he had previously seen.
England crushed Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs in a one-sided contest that lasted barely three days, with the hosts completing victory before tea despite losing more than half a day’s play to rain.
Joe Root’s return as England’s permanent captain could hardly have begun better. England recovered from the turmoil surrounding their Test setup following the series defeat by New Zealand eight weeks ago, with Ben Stokes stepping down as captain and Brendon McCullum relieved of his red-ball duties.
ENG vs PAK, 1st Test Day 3: Highlights | Scorecard
After England added 43 runs to their overnight score to reach 409 and secure a first-innings lead of 238, their pace attack dismantled Pakistan for just 135 in 37.3 overs.
‘NEVER SEEN THEM SO TIMID’
Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson claimed three wickets apiece in the second innings, while Jofra Archer finished with 3-50 to complete a commanding performance from England’s seamers.
Pakistan’s batting never threatened to make a contest of the chase. Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with only 41, while Imam-ul-Haq fell without a run on the board for the second time in the match.
The gulf between the sides prompted a bleak assessment from Vaughan, who was speaking on BBC Test Match Special.
“They’ve been absolutely blown away. They’ve been hammered. I’ve never seen them look so timid,” Vaughan said.
“The tactical side wasn’t there. The skill level and the class between the sides, Pakistan look a long way short.”
Vaughan’s concerns extend beyond one heavy defeat. Pakistan have struggled for consistency in Test cricket, with their latest collapse raising fresh questions over the direction of the team.
“I look at this side and feel quite sad watching them this week,” Vaughan said. “I’ve seen many Pakistan sides play and this side just seem to be lacking all that spirit and fight we’ve become accustomed to seeing.”
He later added: “I really fear for Pakistan.”
A WIDER CRISIS
The scale of the defeat was underlined by the fact that Pakistan managed only 85.4 overs across their two innings combined. Their bowling attack, traditionally one of their greatest strengths, also struggled to make an impact as England’s batters took control of the match.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja was similarly concerned, arguing that the problems run deeper than one poor performance.
“The first pillar has fallen, and that’s the fans, they are disenchanted, they aren’t going to back this team and who would?” Raja said.
Pakistan have won only five Tests since 2023, with four of those victories coming at home. Their struggles have also coincided with a growing reliance on conditions that favour spin and a decline in the prominence of fast bowling, once regarded as central to Pakistan’s cricketing identity.
“You try to produce a one-dimensional team that can only win on select surfaces,” Raja said.
For now, Pakistan must find an immediate response. Stand-in captain Salman Agha will hope Babar Azam can return from his finger injury for the second Test, which begins at Lord’s on Thursday.
After a defeat that exposed a significant gulf between the teams, Pakistan face the daunting task of showing the fight and skill Vaughan believes have been missing from their cricket.
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