Joe Root’s second tenure as England’s Test skipper kicked off in spectacular fashion at Headingley, where his side dismissed Pakistan for a modest 171 runs. The English bowlers, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue, each claimed five wickets, turning the match in England’s favour despite a lengthy rain interruption and a brief resurgence from the visitors. Root has been reinstated as captain after Ben Stokes’ unexpected retirement in June. He inherits a side that has struggled, recording only one win in the last ten matches across series against India, Australia and New Zealand.
The pressure is on him to reverse the team’s fortunes, and his first decision – to bowl first after winning the toss on a damp, overcast morning – paid immediate dividends. The morning’s weather was unforgiving, with rain halting play from 11:50 am until 1:45 pm.
When the sun finally broke through, Pakistan’s openers, Abdullah Shafique (61) and Imam‑ul‑Haq (42), built a solid 91‑run partnership for the sixth wicket. However, the English attack soon found its rhythm. Robinson’s spell of 5 for 51 and Tongue’s 5 for 46 dismantled the Pakistani batting line‑up, wrapping them up in just 48.1 overs.
The visitors were bowled out for 171, a total that left them trailing by 59 runs after England’s reply of 112 for two wickets in 25 overs. England’s innings featured a composed half‑century from the captain, Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 37, and a gritty 33 from Emilio Gay. Jordan Cox, drafted in for the injured Jacob Bethell, added a useful 23 not out. The pair of openers, however, fell cheaply – Ben Duckett was caught behind off Mohammad Abbas and Gay was dismissed at slip by Mohammad Ali – leaving England at 112‑2 at the close of play.
The rain‑affected day was extended, and the possibility of further interruptions loomed over Day 2. Nonetheless, the early success gave England a solid platform. Robinson’s opening spell was particularly lethal; he trapped Azan Awais for a golden duck with an lbw decision on the very first ball of the match – a rarity not seen in England for 19 years – and then dismissed Shan Masood leg‑before‑wicket.
His accuracy and control mirrored the form he displayed earlier in the season against New Zealand at Lord’s, where he earned Player of the Match honours. Tongue’s spell was equally impressive.
After the rain pause, Pakistan had recovered to 97‑3, but Tongue’s persistence paid off when he nicked Imam‑ul‑Haq, sparking a collapse that saw the last eight wickets fall for 74 runs. He claimed the wickets of Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Ali Usman, Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Abbas, securing a second five‑wicket haul of the summer. A brief hat‑trick opportunity was denied when Khurram Shahzad struck a powerful cover‑driven four, but Tongue still finished with figures of 5 for 46. England’s other bowlers had mixed fortunes.
Jofra Archer, still adjusting to the red‑ball format after a period focused on limited‑overs cricket, struggled with consistency, conceding 12 runs in his fourth over and ending with 0 for 26 from nine overs. Nevertheless, his experience will be valuable as the series progresses.
Pakistan’s batting displayed flashes of resilience. Shafique entered the Test after a half‑century in a warm‑up match against a County Select XI and a unbeaten 160 in the West Indies earlier in the month. He showed the temperament required for Test cricket, compiling a solid fifty from 82 balls before falling to Robinson’s precise delivery. Imam‑ul‑Haq’s 42 was also a commendable effort, but the lack of support from the lower order proved costly.
The English side will now look ahead to a potentially rain‑ridden Thursday, when they are scheduled to resume batting. If conditions improve, England will aim to build on the solid foundation set by their bowlers and the steady start from Root and Gay.
The Pakistani seamers, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali, were unable to match the precision of their English counterparts, leaking runs and failing to take wickets at crucial moments. In post‑match comments, Josh Tongue highlighted the importance of the opening hour on Day 2, stating, “We’re in a great position now, but that first hour tomorrow morning could make a big difference. If we focus on that early spell, we can build a strong lead.” He also praised Robinson’s performance, noting, “Robinson was exceptional – when he hits his lines and lengths, he’s a handful for any batsman.” Looking forward, England will aim to maintain pressure on Pakistan, exploiting the momentum generated by their bowlers and the confidence of a reinstated captain. The series promises to be a stern test for both sides, with weather likely to play a decisive role.
Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, with day‑two play slated to begin at 11 am, weather permitting.