England closed day one of the first Test at Headingley on 112-2, trailing Pakistan by 59 runs with eight wickets in hand, after winning the toss and bowling the tourists out for 171 (Geo News).
Captain Joe Root was unbeaten on 23 and Jordan Cox on 37, the pair adding 64 without being separated after England lost both openers.
Pakistan’s bowlers had given them a start. Mohammad Abbas trapped Ben Duckett lbw for 15 in the 10th over, ending a 36-run opening stand, and Mohammad Ali removed Emilio Gay in the next over for a 31-ball 33 that included seven boundaries. Root and Cox then batted through to stumps.
The damage was done earlier. Being bowled out for 171 after being inserted leaves little margin, and Pakistan are without Babar Azam, ruled out with the finger injury sustained in the warm-up match against a Professional County Club Select XI. Salman Ali Agha is captaining in his absence.
Babar’s absence is felt more sharply given his form: he finished the West Indies series as leading scorer with 193 runs at 96.50, taking a shared Player of the Series award that drew him level with Imran Khan and Wasim Akram on ten across international cricket. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has said he hopes Babar will be available for the second Test.
It is the first of three Tests.
