English bowlers, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue had a weird encounter on the first day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Headingley stadium. Both England bowlers claimed five-wicket hauls as Pakistan were bowled out for 171. This has happened for the first time in 20 years that two England bowlers had taken five wickets each in the same Test innings. As the Pakistan team were bowled out and the England bowlers returned to the dressing room, the pair decided to split it in half. A member of the Headingley ground staff sawed it into two pieces so each could take one. The unusual souvenir gave their achievement an unusual ending.
Tongue revealed his plans for his half with a laugh, saying, “I don't know what I am going to do with it. I'll either get it mounted or put it on my bathroom door... bathroom door handle (laughs).” Robinson had a similar appreciation for the memento. “I'll probably like stick it somewhere but it's quite cool. I was telling him [Tongue] when we walked off, it's not often you get half a ball. It's something that we will remember forever really. It's quite unique,” he said. Robinson finished with 5-51, while Tongue took 5-46, helping England close the day strongly at 112-2.
Pakistan bowled out for just 171 runs as English bowlers disrupt start on Day 1 of first Test in Headingley
The Pakistan team had a tough start to the first Test against England at Headingley, with their batting collapsing after a promising beginning. After the English captain,Joe Root chose to bowl, seam bowler Ollie Robinson struck with the first ball. He removed Azan Awais for a golden duck. Pakistan slipped to 23/2 before Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq steadied the innings with a 91-run stand. Shafique made a valuable score of 61 runs, while Imam scored 42. This gave Pakistan a chance to build a competitive total. However, that opportunity disappeared quickly. From 117/3, Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for just 54 runs and were bowled out for 171 in 48.1 overs. The collapse left them with plenty to ponder after recovering from their early setbacks.
England’s seamers made the most of the conditions, with Robinson and Josh Tongue doing the damage. Robinson finished with 5/51, while Tongue took 5/46, sharing all 10 Pakistani wickets between them. Pakistan’s middle order failed to provide the resistance they needed, with Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan unable to make significant contributions. England then responded strongly, reaching 112/2 by stumps. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 37, with Jordan Cox on 23, leaving England just 59 runs behind and firmly in control.
