'England Outplayed Us' – Says Stand-in Skipper Salman Agha After Crushing Headingley Defeat

Pakistan stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha admitted that England were the better team in the first Test, as the hosts completed a big win inside three days at Headingley on Friday.

Pakistan were asked to bat first by England captain Joe Root and struggled from the start. Without regular captain Babar Azam, Pakistan managed only 171 runs in their first innings. Abdullah Shafique fought hard for his half-century, but Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue caused major damage with five wickets each.

England then took full control of the game with 409 runs before being bowled out. Pakistan spinner Ali Usman made history by taking five wickets, but his effort could not stop England from building a huge lead. Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence all scored useful half-centuries to put the hosts in a strong position.

Pakistan started their second innings 238 runs behind and needed a big batting effort to stay in the game. Instead, their resistance lasted only 37.3 overs as they were bowled out for 135, handing England a comfortable innings victory and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Meanwhile, Agha, who captained Pakistan in the Headingley Test in Babar’s absence, said the team made too many mistakes and England made the most of them.

"England have outplayed us and it is fair to say. We have made many mistakes. Our batting is [inexperienced] in these conditions but they need to be consistent," said Pakistan stand-in captain, Salman Ali Agha.

Agha himself managed to score just 21 and 4 in the first Test, but felt Pakistan’s bowling attack failed to use the conditions to their advantage.

Addressing concerns about the speed of Pakistan’s fast bowlers, Agha said the country has pacers capable of bowling at more than 140kph. At the same time, he defended Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad, saying their performances in the recent Test series in the West Indies showed they can be effective in overseas conditions.

"There was moisture when we bowled but our bowlers did not make the most of it," said Salman Ali Agha.

"We do have bowlers who can click 140kph but these three fast bowlers had done well in West Indies and these conditions suit them. I still back them," added Salman Ali Agha.

Meanwhile, Agha is hopeful that Babar Azam will be back for the second Test at Lord’s, which will be played from August 27 to 31. He feels the star batter’s return could give Pakistan’s batting line-up a much-needed boost.

"Hopefully Babar will come back in the next match and his presence will give a boost to our batting," said Salman Ali Agha.