MANCHESTER: England beat Pakistan by three wickets to win the first Test at Old Trafford on Saturday in dramatic fashion.

The hosts, set a stiff 277 to win, were struggling at 117-5 on the fourth day. But Chris Woakes saw them home with 84 not out after turning the tide in a sixth-wicket stand of 139 with Jos Buttler (75).

Victory put England 1-0 up in a three-match series being played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus.

Brief scores: Pakistan 1st Innings 326 (Shan Masood 156, Babar Azam 69; S Broad 3-54, J Archer 3-59). England 1st Innings 219 (O Pope 62; Yasir Shah 4-66)

Pakistan 2nd Innings 169 (S Broad 3-37). England 2nd Innings 277-7 (C Woakes 84 no, J Buttler 75; Yasir Shah 4-99).