England made a statement of intent on day one of the much-anticipated first Test against Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds, kicking off the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle in emphatic fashion. It was a day where the bowlers ruled, and the Headingley skies played their part with a rain delay, but the story belonged to Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue, who tore through the Pakistani batting lineup.
The day started perfectly for England, who won the toss and put Pakistan in to bat. Robinson wasted no time, striking with the very first ball and then again in the opening over to leave the tourists floundering at 6-2. The early wickets set the tone for the rest of the day, with England’s pace attack relentless and disciplined. Both Robinson and Tongue finished with five wickets apiece, a rare feat for a pair of bowlers in a single innings. By stumps, Pakistan had limped to 164-8 in 47 overs, with Mohammad Abbas (1*) and Khurram (8*) at the crease.
Rain Delays and Key Absences
Rain briefly threatened to spoil the action, extending play and forcing both teams to adapt their plans. Despite the wet weather and the stop-start nature of the day, England’s bowlers kept up the pressure. Notably, Pakistan were missing their new captain Babar Azam, ruled out for this match after Shan Masood’s tenure ended with 12 defeats in 16 games. England, too, had to shuffle their lineup, with Jacob Bethell out through injury and Dan Lawrence returning to Test action after a two-year absence.
Bowling Masterclass and Controversy
The session timings, with 40-minute lunch and 20-minute tea breaks, did little to halt England’s momentum. Josh Tongue, fresh off The Hundred final, spoke about the quick turnaround and credited the behind-the-scenes work for his performance. There was drama too—Mohammad Rizwan fell to an lbw decision after a tight review, walking off with an unlucky umpire’s call. By the close, England were firmly in command, and the Headingley crowd could sense that the hosts had taken a significant first step in this three-match series.
Day one belonged to the bowlers, with England showing they’re ready to bounce back after a tough run—drawing 2-2 with India, losing 4-1 to Australia in the Ashes, and dropping a home series to New Zealand. With Pakistan on the ropes and the weather forecast set fair, England will look to press home their advantage on day two.
