England take full control as Pakistan struggle after 1st 2 days of 1st Test at Leeds
Report on the First Two Days of the 1st Test: England vs Pakistan, 2026 Venue: Headingley, Leeds Dates: 19–20 August 2026 Series: Pakistan tour of England, 2026 Test: 1st of 3 The opening two days of the first Test between England and Pakistan at Headingley have produced a strongly one-sided contest in favour of the hosts. England, under the returning captaincy of Joe Root, dominated Pakistan with the ball on the opening day and then built a substantial first-innings lead with the bat on a rain-affected second day. Day 1: England's bowlers dominate England won the toss and Joe Root elected to bowl first in conditions that offered considerable assistance to the seamers. The decision proved immediately successful. Ollie Robinson dismissed Azan Awais with the first ball of the Test, the first time an English bowler had taken a wicket with the opening delivery of an England Test series. Pakistan were soon reduced to 6 for 2, but Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique produced a valuable p...