Robinson, Tongue lead England’s rout as Pakistan crumble for 171 in first Test

LEEDS – England's pace attack tore through Pakistan's batting line-up as Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue asserted five-wicket hauls to bowl the visitors out for 171 on the opening day of the first Test at Headingley on Wednesday.

Key points

• PAKISTAN 1ST INNINGS: 171 all out, 48.1 overs (Abdullah Shafique 61, Imam-ul-Haq 42; Ollie Robinson 5-50, Josh Tongue 5-53) vs ENGLAND.
• Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas continued 12 runs for the 10th wicket before Robinson removed Shahzad for 14 to complete his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
• Rizwan and stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha attempted to rebuild, adding 32 for the sixth wicket.

What happened

Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas continued 12 runs for the 10th wicket before Robinson removed Shahzad for 14 to complete his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Tongue then struck with the particularly next delivery, bowling Abbas for two and completing his fourth Test five-for. Pakistan's innings had shown greater resistance earlier in the day, particularly through Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq. Resuming at 23-2, the experienced Imam and Shafique combined for a crucial 91-run third-wicket partnership before Tongue broke through. Imam missed out on a deserved half-century, falling for 42 off 74 balls, including six fours. Shafique continued to anchor the innings and top-scored with a gritty 61 from 104 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries. Robinson then delivered another decisive blow by dismissing Saud Shakeel for five before removing Shafique in his after over. The two wickets triggered another collapse and left Pakistan struggling at 150-5.

Rizwan and stand-in captain Salman Ali Agha attempted to rebuild, adding 32 for the sixth wicket. Tongue concluded the stand by bowling Salman for 21 in the final over of the second session and struck again immediately, trapping Ali Usman lbw without scoring. Pakistan's challenges had begun from the opening delivery when Robinson dismissed Azan Awais lbw. Shan Masood followed in the fifth over, additionally falling to Robinson for five, reducing Pakistan to 6-2. Imam and Shafique briefly steadied the innings before heavy rain interrupted play at 23-2.

The bottom line

Taken together, the developments around robinson, Tongue lead England's rout as Pakistan crumble for 171 in first point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.