PAK vs ENG 1st Test: Pakistan Collapse for 171, England Take Control at Leeds on Day 1

Pakistan endured a difficult opening day in the Leeds Test, collapsing for 171 runs in their first innings after losing wickets at regular intervals.

England responded strongly and reached 112/2 by stumps, leaving the hosts in a commanding position after the opening day.

Captain Joe Root remained unbeaten on 37, while Jordan Cox was 23 not out at the close of play.

Pakistan Lose Wicket on the First Ball

Pakistan's innings got off to a disastrous start when Azan Awais was dismissed for a duck from the very first delivery.

England's Ollie Robinson trapped Awais LBW with a full-length delivery to give the hosts an early breakthrough.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood failed to steady the innings and was dismissed LBW by Robinson for just five runs.

Rain interruptions also affected the opening session, with Pakistan reaching 23/2 at lunch.

Abdullah Shafique Hits Fifty as Pakistan Fight Back

After play resumed, Abdullah Shafique provided Pakistan with some much-needed stability.

Shafique scored a half-century and shared a 91-run partnership with Imam-ul-Haq, who contributed 42 runs.

However, Robinson eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Shafique, triggering another collapse in the Pakistan batting lineup.

Pakistan went from a relatively stable position to 150/7 by the tea interval, losing five wickets during the second session.

Robinson and Tongue Complete Five-Wicket Hauls

Pakistan's lower order could not resist England's bowling attack in the final session.

Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue claimed five wickets apiece, completing an impressive bowling performance and dismissing Pakistan for 171.

The five-wicket hauls were particularly significant because England's attack kept pressure on Pakistan throughout the innings and prevented the visitors from building a competitive first-innings total.

England Finish Day 1 at 112/2

England's openers gave the hosts a positive start in reply.

Ben Duckett scored 15, while Emilio Gay made 33 before Pakistan struck with two wickets.

However, captain Joe Root and Jordan Cox steadied the innings and remained unbeaten at the end of play.

At stumps, England were 112/2, just 59 runs behind Pakistan's first-innings total with eight wickets still in hand.

Day 1 at Leeds: Key Numbers

Pakistan: 171 all out

England: 112/2 at stumps

Pakistan lead: 59 runs

Abdullah Shafique: Half-century

Imam-ul-Haq: 42 runs

Ollie Robinson: 5 wickets

Josh Tongue: 5 wickets

Joe Root: 37*

Jordan Cox: 23*

England vs Pakistan 1st Test: Who Has the Advantage?

England clearly finished Day 1 in the stronger position. Pakistan's total of 171 has put the hosts in a favorable position, while England still have eight wickets in hand.

If Root and Cox can extend their partnership on the second morning, England could quickly move ahead of Pakistan's total and put further pressure on the visitors.

The major concern for Pakistan will be their batting collapse after Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq had established a promising partnership.