Robinson and Tongue Put England in Control Against Pakistan

England seized control of the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley after Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue shared all 10 wickets on the opening day. Pakistan were bowled out for 171 in 48.1 overs before England reached 112 for two from 25 overs, leaving the hosts 59 runs behind at stumps.

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The Guardian reported that Robinson struck with the first ball of the series, trapping Azan Awais lbw after England captain Joe Root won the toss and chose to bowl. Robinson also dismissed Pakistan captain Shan Masood lbw as the tourists slipped to six for two in the fifth over.

Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq led the recovery with a 91-run third-wicket partnership, a stand interrupted by an early lunch following rain. Shafique top-scored with 61, while Imam made 42 before driving Tongue to slip after receiving treatment for an ankle problem.

Robinson broke through Shafique’s defence and finished with five for 51 from 18 overs, securing the fifth five-wicket haul of his Test career. Tongue then removed key members of Pakistan’s lower middle order, including stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, both lbw, on his way to five for 46.

England’s reply lost two wickets before Root and Jordan Cox steadied the innings. The pair added an unbroken 64 for the third wicket, with Root closing on 37 not out and Cox unbeaten on 23. Their partnership ensured England ended the day within one solid stand of Pakistan’s first-innings total.

The opening day also marked Root’s return as England’s permanent Test captain. His decision to bowl was rewarded by the movement Robinson and Tongue found from the Headingley surface, while England’s batting response preserved the advantage created by the two seamers. Pakistan will begin day two needing early wickets to prevent the hosts from moving into a first-innings lead.