Former England pacer Stuart Broad has delivered a blunt assessment of Pakistan ahead of their three-match Test series against England, claiming the visitors are a “poor side” and predicting a comfortable 3-0 series victory for the hosts. The opening Test began at Headingley on Wednesday, with England captain Joe Root winning the toss and opting to bowl first.

The series marks a new chapter for England following the retirement of former captain Ben Stokes and the departure of head coach Brendon McCullum. Pakistan has also been hit by a significant setback, with star batter Babar Azam ruled out of the first Test due to injury. In his absence, Salman Ali Agha is leading the visiting side.

Speaking on The Love for Cricket Podcast, Stuart Broad did not hold back in his assessment of Pakistan’s chances. He argued that England should be expected to win all three Tests, although he acknowledged that nothing can be guaranteed in international cricket. “They are a poor side, they are not a really good side. You would imagine and you’d think that England should win 3-0. And pretty comfortably,” Broad said.

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The former pacer added that failing to win the series would represent a major disappointment for England. On the field, England made an excellent start to the new era as Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue claimed five wickets each to bowl Pakistan out for just 171 on a rain-affected opening day.

🚨England should win 3-0 against PAK🚨

“Pakistan is a weaker side. There is no doubting that.They are very poor side.”

– Stuart Broad #ENGvsPAK pic.twitter.com/BqecpqeS2Y

— Indian Cricket 🏏 (@Indiancric1cm) August 18, 2026

Robinson produced a particularly impressive comeback performance, taking the first wicket of the Test series with his opening delivery. He finished with 5/51 from 18 overs, removing four of Pakistan’s specialist batters.

Tongue was equally effective, returning figures of 5/46 in only 9.1 overs as Pakistan’s batting lineup collapsed under pressure. England responded strongly before stumps, reaching 112/2 and trailing Pakistan’s first-innings total by just 59 runs.

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Root, beginning his second spell as England’s full-time Test captain, remained unbeaten on 37 on his home ground in Yorkshire. He was joined by Jordan Cox, who was unbeaten on 23 after coming into the side at No. 3 in place of the injured Jacob Bethell.

With England firmly in control after the opening day, Broad’s prediction of a comfortable series now has an early foundation. However, Pakistan will hope their batting unit can respond strongly in the remaining Tests and prove the former England pacer wrong.