Joe Root’s second tenure as England’s Test captain got off to a spectacular start at Headingley, where his side dismissed Pakistan for just 171 runs in the first innings. The English bowlers, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue, each claimed five-wicket hauls, turning the match in England’s favour after a long rain interruption and a brief resurgence from the visitors.
Root’s reinstatement came after the surprising retirement of Ben Stokes in June, and he inherits a side that has struggled, losing seven of its last ten matches across series against India, Australia and New Zealand. The pressure is on him to reverse England’s fortunes and restore confidence in the squad.
The day began under overcast skies, and rain halted play from 11:50 am to 1:45 pm. When the umpires finally called the game back into action, Pakistan’s top order, led by Abdullah Shafique (61) and Imam‑ul‑Haq (42), managed a partnership of 91 runs for the sixth wicket. However, the English bowlers soon found rhythm. Robinson’s figures of 5‑51 and Tongue’s 5‑46 dismantled the Pakistani batting line‑up, wrapping them up in just 48.1 overs.
England’s reply was cautious but steady. At the close of day one, the hosts were 112 for 2 after 25 overs, trailing by 59 runs.
Joe Root contributed a solid 37 not out, while Emilio Gay added 33 and the debutant Jordan Cox, promoted to number three in place of the injured Jacob Bethell, scored an unbeaten 23. Their partnership of 64 runs carried the innings into the 7.30 pm stumps.
Root’s first spell as captain, which originally ran from 2017 to 2022, had already shown his willingness to attack. Winning the toss under the gloomy conditions, he chose to bowl, a decision that paid immediate dividends. Robinson’s opening spell produced a rare platinum duck for Azan Awais, who was trapped lbw on the very first ball of a Test in England – a feat not seen for 19 years.
He then dismissed Shan Masood (5) leg before wicket, further unsettling the Pakistani top order. When play resumed after the rain, Pakistan were 23 for 2 at 9.4 overs.
England used two of their reviews in an attempt to break through, but the breakthrough finally came when Tongue’s delivery nicked off Imam‑ul‑Haq, sparking a dramatic collapse. Pakistan lost their final eight wickets for just 74 runs, with the last five falling for a mere 21. Robinson’s spell continued to shine as he bowled Shafique with a delivery that swung sharply, and later trapped Saud Shakeel (5) lbw after a missed review that could have saved the batsman. Tongue flirted with a hat‑trick after tea, having already dismissed stand‑in captain Salman Ali Agha (21) and Ali Usman (0) lbw.
Khurram Shahzad (14) prevented the hat‑trick with a powerful cover‑driven four, but Tongue soon claimed his fourth five‑for of the series by dismissing Mohammad Rizwan (12) lbw and then removing Mohammad Abbas (2) at the off‑stump. Robinson’s performance marked his fifth five‑wicket haul in Test cricket and his second of the summer. Earlier in the season he had been the standout bowler in the opening Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, where he took seven wickets and earned Player of the Match honours.
His line and length at Headingley were equally disciplined, keeping the Pakistani batsmen under constant pressure. 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. His lack of control suggested that he has been more accustomed to the shorter formats in recent months, and his early dismissal after just two overs left England reliant on the rest of the pace attack.
Abdullah Shafique entered the Test after a half‑century in a warm‑up match against a County Select XI and an unbeaten 160 in England’s recent win in the West Indies. He showed his aptitude for the red ball, compiling a sixth Test fifty from 82 deliveries before falling to Robinson’s sharp delivery.
Emilio Gay, who had been dismissed for a pair in the County XI warm‑up, opened his Leeds innings with a nervous single but soon settled, hitting several elegant boundaries before being caught behind off the bowling of Mohammad Abbas. Looking ahead, England may have to endure another rain‑affected day, as Thursday’s forecast remains bleak. Nevertheless, the side heads into the next session in a commanding position, with Pakistan’s seamers Khurram and Ali unable to match the precision of England’s bowlers. Root, now settled at the helm, appears poised to guide his team through the challenges ahead.
Josh Tongue, reflecting on the day’s work, told Sky Sports: "We’re in a great position now, but the first hour tomorrow morning could be crucial. If we focus on that opening spell, we can build a solid lead. As a bowling unit we performed exceptionally, and Ollie was outstanding – much like his display at Lord’s against New Zealand.
When he hits his lines and lengths, he’s a nightmare for any batsman." The second day of the first Test between England and Pakistan is set to begin at 11 am, weather permitting, with the hosts hoping to extend their advantage and put Pakistan under further pressure. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, or stream via NOW.