At Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Ollie Robinson and James Anderson shone as England defeated Pakistan by a remarkable margin of 74 runs.

Ben Stokes was rewarded for a strong statement when the visitors defeated Pakistan for the first time on the road in the longest format in 22 years late in the final day on a friendly pitch.

Babar Azam's team was set a target of 343 runs to win, but Robinson took 4-50 and the dependable Anderson 4-36 before Jack Leach broke a resolute last-wicket partnership as the light grew dimmer and bowled Babar Azam's team out for 268.

In their first Test in Pakistan in 17 years, England's seamers excelled, producing crisp reverse swing with an old ball to grab a 1-0 series lead.

A WIN FOR THE AGES!! 🦁🦁🦁

🇵🇰 #PAKvENG 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/r3QlEHwAXd

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 5, 2022

After Pakistan resumed on 80-2, Anderson delivered the first blow, catching Imam-ul-Haq behind the back by Ollie Pope down the leg side for 48.

At lunch, Saud Shakeel (76) and Mohammad Rizwan (46) helped their team reach 169-3, but early in the afternoon session, Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batsman nicked Anderson through to Pope.

Liam Livingstone's tour-ending knee injury necessitated the substitution of Keaton Jennings as the fielder, and Keaton Jennings removed Shakeel with a superb diving catch at short cover off Robinson's bowling.

After retiring hurt on day four due to a finger injury, Azhar Ali (40) displayed outstanding control as he worked with Agha Salman to frustrate the tourists. Anderson and Stokes bowled excellent periods without being rewarded further.

Pope dropped Azhar off Robinson's next ball down the leg side, but the seamer broke a 61-run partnership by catching Salman leg before and had Azhar caught by Joe Root at leg slip to conclude the stand.

When Robinson clipped Naseem Shah's off stump with the first ball he faced, the bails stayed in place, but Pakistan was still eight down when Pope made an incredible catch for Anderson down the leg side to end Zahid Mahmood's innings.

Robinson and Anderson swing the game in England's favour

You would expect the spinners to play a massive part on the final day, but it was the reverse swing generated by England's seamers that was crucial.

Robinson generated sharp movement in the air, striking twice early in the last session to set England well on their way to victory.

Anderson was also magnificent, the 40-year-old once again showing age is no barrier as he bowled 24 probing overs on a lifeless pitch.

Stokes can do no wrong

Captain Stokes became only the third England captain to win a Test in Pakistan after Ted Dexter and Nasser Hussain.

The skipper could not have wished for a better start to his reign, beating New Zealand, South Africa and India on home soil this year and leading the side superbly in this remarkable Test.