ENG vs PAK 2026: England Pacers Shine as Joe Root Begins Captaincy Return Against Pakistan

England pacers Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson took five wickets each as Pakistan were bowled out for 171 on the opening day of the first Test at Headingley in Leeds.

Pakistan looked in control at 91/2 after Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq added 91 runs for the third wicket. However, England hit back strongly as Pakistan lost their last eight wickets for just 74 runs.

Shafique was the top scorer for Pakistan with 61, while Imam-ul-Haq made 42. Their partnership gave Pakistan a strong start before England’s fast bowlers took control of the innings.

Tongue finished with 5/46, while Robinson returned figures of 5/51. It was a rare double for England, with both pacers claiming five-wicket hauls in the same Test innings against Pakistan.

The feat also marked England’s first instance of two pacers taking five wickets each in the same innings since 1998.

England ended the day on 112/2, still 59 runs behind Pakistan’s first-innings total. Emilio Gay scored 33 before falling, but Joe Root and Jordan Cox steadied the innings.

Root remained unbeaten on 37, while Cox was not out on 23. The pair added an unbeaten 64-run stand to put England in a strong position by stumps.

The match is also an important one for Root, who has returned as England’s Test captain for his second full-time stint. His comeback comes as England begin a new era following Ben Stokes’ retirement.

With England only 59 runs behind and eight wickets still in hand, Root and Cox will look to put the hosts ahead when play resumes on Day 2.