Pakistan’s batting lineup succumbed to a lethal seam-bowling display from Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson, collapsing for just 171 in their first innings on Day 1 of the Headingley Test. In response, host nation England finished the day in a dominant position at 112/2.
Sent into bat after losing the toss at Headingley, Pakistan suffered an immediate setback as opener Azan Awais fell for a golden duck on the very first ball of the match. The visitors were plunged into further trouble at 6/2 when captain Shan Masood was dismissed cheaply.
A resilient partnership between Abdullah Shafique (61) and Imam-ul-Haq (42) offered temporary stability, but once Imam was removed with the score at 97, the middle order collapsed like a house of cards. Pakistan lost their final seven wickets for just 74 runs.
England’s pace duo split all ten wickets evenly, with Josh Tongue taking 5/46 and Ollie Robinson claiming 5/51. Coming out to bat, England lost two quick wickets for 48 runs before captain Joe Root (37*) and Jordan Cox (23*) built an unbeaten partnership to guide the hosts safely to the close of play.
