Joe Root’s second tenure as England’s Test skipper got off to a spectacular start at Headingley, where his side dismissed Pakistan for just 171 runs in the first innings. The English bowlers, led by the twin five‑wicket hauls of Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue, exploited a long rain interruption and a brief resurgence from the visitors to force a collapse. This win marked a promising early chapter for Root, who was reinstated after Ben Stokes’ unexpected retirement in June and tasked with reversing a recent run of poor results – seven losses and only one win in the last ten matches against top sides such as India, Australia and New Zealand. The morning of the first day was dominated by wet conditions that halted play from 11:50 am until 1:45 pm.
When the sun finally broke through, Pakistan’s top order, anchored by Abdullah Shafique’s 61 and Imam‑ul‑Haq’s 42, managed a partnership of 91 runs for the sixth wicket. However, the English bowlers quickly found rhythm.
Robinson’s figures of 5‑51 and Tongue’s 5‑46 dismantled the Pakistani batting line‑up, wrapping up the innings in just 48.1 overs. England’s reply was steady but cautious; after 25 overs they were 112 for 2, trailing by 59 runs, with Root unbeaten on 37 and Emilio Gay contributing a quick 33. Root’s first spell as captain, which lasted from 2017 to 2022, preceded the high‑octane "Bazball" era. His decision to bowl first after winning the toss under overcast skies proved decisive.
Robinson immediately struck, trapping opening batsman Azan Awais lbw on the very first ball of the match – a rarity in English Tests that had not occurred for 19 years. He then dismissed Shan Masood leg before wicket, setting the tone for a relentless English attack.
Pakistan’s innings stalled at 23 for 2 after 9.4 overs when rain intervened. England used two of its reviews in a bid to accelerate the dismissal of the remaining wickets. When play resumed, Pakistan reached 97 for 3, but Tongue’s sharp bowling turned the tide.
A caught‑behind off Imam‑ul‑Haq sparked a dramatic collapse: the visitors lost their final eight wickets for 74 runs, with the last five falling for just 21. Robinson claimed Shafique with a spectacular delivery that swung sharply, and later removed Saud Shakeel lbw after a missed review that could have saved the batsman.
Tongue was on the brink of a hat‑trick after the tea break. He had already bowled the stand‑in Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha (21) and then trapped Ali Usman lbw. The next wicket, however, was denied when Khurram Shahzad (9) struck a powerful cover‑driven four.
Undeterred, Tongue completed his five‑for by dismissing Mohammad Rizwan lbw and then clean‑bowling Mohammad Abbas, finishing with figures of 5‑46. Robinson’s fifth five‑for of his Test career – his second of the summer – came after a brief lapse when Gus Atkinson edged a delivery from Khurram to mid‑on, but Atkinson soon recovered and claimed a wicket of his own. Robinson’s performance echoed his debut Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, where he took a triple‑wicket maiden and finished with seven wickets, earning Player of the Match. His control and accuracy were evident throughout the Headingley encounter.
In contrast, Jofra Archer struggled to find his rhythm, conceding 12 runs in his fourth over and ending with figures of 0‑26 from nine overs. Archer’s difficulties suggested he has been more accustomed to the shorter formats in recent months, and his early dismissal after two overs indicated a need to readjust to the demands of red‑ball cricket. Pakistan’s top scorer Shafique entered the Test after a solid fifty in a warm‑up match against a County Select XI and a unbeaten 160 in a recent West Indies victory.
He displayed a good understanding of the longer format, compiling a sixth Test fifty from 82 balls before falling to Robinson’s well‑executed delivery. England’s opener Emilio Gay, who had previously made a pair in the County warm‑up, opened his Leeds innings with a nervous single but soon found his footing, hitting several elegant boundaries before being caught behind off Mohammad Abbas. The weather forecast for Thursday looked bleak, suggesting a long pause before England could bat again.
Nonetheless, the hosts were in a commanding position, with Pakistan’s seamers Khurram and Ali unable to match Robinson’s precision, and Root’s leadership appearing steady and confident. After the match, fast bowler Josh Tongue reflected on the team's outlook: "We’re in a great position now, but that first hour tomorrow morning could be crucial.
If we focus on that early spell, we can build a solid lead. As a bowling unit we performed exceptionally well, and Ollie was outstanding – much like his display at Lord’s against New Zealand.
When he hits his lines and lengths, he’s a truly exceptional bowler." Looking ahead, England will aim to extend their advantage on day two, hoping the weather cooperates. The early dominance with the ball has set a strong foundation for Root’s renewed captaincy, and the team will look to capitalize on the momentum as they aim to secure a comprehensive victory over Pakistan at Headingley.