Robinson and Tongue each take five as England dismantle Pakistan on Day 1 at Headingley

Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue each claimed five wickets as England dominated Pakistan on Day 1 of the first Test at Headingley in Leeds on August 19, 2026, reducing the tourists to 171 all out before England closed on 112-2, trailing by 59 runs.

England's match marked the start of the hosts' post-Bazball era under Joe Root in his second stint as captain following Ben Stokes's retirement; Root won the toss under an overcast sky. Pakistan were without captain Babar Azam because of a finger injury, with Salman Agha deputising, and had recorded only two wins in their previous seven Tests. Dan Lawrence returned to the England side at No.6 in his first Test in two years, while Ollie Robinson was playing his first Test since June after taking 7-77 at Lord's against New Zealand.

Robinson struck with the opening delivery of the three-match series, dismissing Azan Awais with a ball that nipped back from around the wicket, and had Shan Masood trapped LBW for 5 in his third over as Pakistan slipped to 6-2. According to the BBC, it was the first time a team had taken a wicket off the first ball of a Test series in England, which has been hosting matches since 1880; globally, that occurrence has happened 11 times in Test history and Jimmy Anderson achieved it when he removed Dean Elgar in 2019-20.

A two-hour rain delay interrupted play, after which a 91-run partnership between Imam-ul-Haq (42) and Abdullah Shafique (61) steadied Pakistan briefly. The middle and late sessions then saw Robinson and Tongue run through the batting: Robinson finished with 5-51 and Tongue with 5-46 as Pakistan lost their last five wickets for 21 runs in 22 balls to be dismissed for 171.

Tongue, who took his fourth five-wicket haul in his 13th Test, described an unusual souvenir after the close. “The groundsman has kindly split the ball in half so I'm sure I'll be able to get that mounted somewhere at home,” said Tongue. “It's crazy — it's the first time I've seen that happen.”

Pakistan's Imam-ul-Haq assessed the bowling and the situation after the innings. “They bowled very well, we have to give credit to the England bowlers. They were decent with their length and they were hitting the right spots,” Imam said. “Obviously we have to work hard now but I always believe that it's a long game... things change very quickly. Get two wickets and the game's going to change.”

In England's reply Mohammad Abbas trapped Ben Duckett for 15 and Mohammad Ali had Emilio Gay caught at second slip for 33, but Root and Jordan Cox finished the day unbeaten on 37 and 23 respectively, Root having struck six fours in a 53-ball knock while chasing a 42nd Test century. The match is the opening fixture of the three-match series, with England 112-2 at stumps on Day 1, still trailing Pakistan by 59 runs.