England seal memorable win over Pakistan

England beat Pakistan by 74 runs in the opening test in Rawalpindi in fading light on Monday, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Ben Stokes and his men pulled off one of their most memorable test victories on day five of a high-scoring series opener.

The game had threatened to become an endless runfest on a docile track that yielded seven hundreds inside three days, and the 1,768 runs scored in the match is the third-highest aggregate in test cricket history.

England amassed 657 in their first innings and declared their second on 264-7, setting Pakistan an improbable victory target of 343.

Pakistan fought gamely and put on 268 before being all out in the absorbing final session, with Saud Shakeel topscoring for them with 76.

James Anderson (4-36) and Ollie Robinson (4-50) were England's most successful bowlers, while Jack Leach claimed the winning wicket.

The second test in Multan begins on Friday.