Cricket-England beat Pakistan by 74 runs in Rawalpindi test

© Thomson Reuters First Test – England v Pakistan – Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (Reuters) – 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.

© Thomson Reuters First Test – England v Pakistan – Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

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

© Thomson Reuters First Test – England v Pakistan – Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

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.

(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; Editing by Hugh Lawson)