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ENG vs PAK Ball by Ball Commentary

54/2(18.0 ov)
Day 1Session 2
ENG won the toss and chose to field

Commentary

End of over 186 runs
PAK: 54/2CRR: 3.00
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17.6

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

No run, this is down the off side and let through.

0
17.5

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Hits the deck hard and around off, shaping away, Imam-ul-Haq leaves it alone.

2
17.4

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, 2 runs

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Full again, on middle and leg, Imam-ul-Haq clips it with soft hands towards the square leg region and comes back for the second run.

0
17.3

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Fuller one and on middle, shaping in, Imam-ul-Haq steps across and blocks it out.

4
17.2

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, 4 runs

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FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and around off. Imam-ul-Haq uses the width on offer and cuts it away past point as the ball races through the outfield for a boundary. 50 up for Pakistan.

0
17.1

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Beauty! Back of a length and on off, gets it to shape away. Imam-ul-Haq fails to ride the bounce and just hangs his bat away as the ball zips past the outside edge.

End of over 170 run
PAK: 48/2CRR: 2.82
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16.6

Jofra Archer to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Short of a length and on off, Abdullah Shafique stays back and keeps it out to the off side. Another maiden over, but he is yet to find his rhythm.

0
16.5

Jofra Archer to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Still struggling with his lines! Jofra Archer bowls this fuller but way down the leg side, shaping further in. Abdullah Shafique leaves it alone and Jamie Smith has to put a dive to his left to grab it.

0
16.4

Jofra Archer to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Back of a length and on middle, angling in, Abdullah Shafique pats it down towards short mid-wicket.

0
16.3

Jofra Archer to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Pulls his length back a bit around off, shaping away, Abdullah Shafique leaves it alone.

0
16.2

Jofra Archer to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Much fuller and on off, Abdullah Shafique drives it away to mid off.

0
16.1

Jofra Archer to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Sharp bounce! Back of a length and on middle, jags back in and shoots up off the deck. Abdullah Shafique misses his flick as the ball hits him on the thigh pad.

1:12 PM IST Ollie Robinson gets a bit of a rest. Jofra Archer replaces him.
End of over 165 runs
PAK: 48/2CRR: 3.00
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15.6

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Fuller one, outside off, angling away again, Imam-ul-Haq offers no shot at it.

0
15.5

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Back of a length and on off, angling away, Imam-ul-Haq lifts his hands up and lets it go to the keeper.

0
15.4

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Short of a length and on middle, Imam-ul-Haq hops up to ride the bounce and keeps it out to the off side.

0
15.3

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Pitched up and well outside off, Imam-ul-Haq makes an easy leave.

4
15.2

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, 4 runs

FOUR! Classy shot! Gus Atkinson comes around the wicket and serves this a bit too full, on middle. Imam-ul-Haq presents the full face of the bat and drives it gloriously back past the bowler for a lovely boundary.

1
15.1

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, 1 run

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Fuller delivery, on off, shaping in. Abdullah Shafique looks to block it but gets an inside edge through square leg for a single.

End of over 151 run
PAK: 43/2CRR: 2.87
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14.6

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Goes fuller this time, on middle and off, Imam-ul-Haq fends it down the pitch.

0
14.5

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Length again, on middle, Imam-ul-Haq blocks it out solidly.

1
14.4

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, 1 run

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On a length and on middle, Abdullah Shafique tucks it to the left of short mid-wicket for a quick single.

0
14.3

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Much fuller and around off, not much movement this time, Abdullah Shafique watches it through and leaves it alone.

0
14.2

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Back of a length and on off, nips back in again, Abdullah Shafique tries to play with a straight bat but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

0
14.1

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Good-length delivery, on middle, jags back in. Abdullah Shafique looks to clip it away but his head falls and he misses it as the ball clips the inside edge before going into him high on the pads.

End of over 144 runs
PAK: 42/2CRR: 3.00
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13.6

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Hard length and around off, angles in a bit, Imam-ul-Haq once again shoulders arms to it.

0
13.5

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

Pitched up and just outside off, not close enough to make Imam-ul-Haq play.

0
13.4

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Much fuller and on off, Imam-ul-Haq drives it firmly but straight to short cover.

0
13.3

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Short of a length and just around off, shoots up a bit, Imam-ul-Haq lets it go.

4
13.2

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, 4 runs

FOUR! Gets it through! Gus Atkinson bowls this on a good length, on off, takes off a bit and moves away. Imam-ul-Haq plays at it with soft hands as the ball goes off the splice of the bat and races between fourth slip and gully for a boundary.

0
13.1

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Fuller delivery, on off, angling in, Imam-ul-Haq covers his stumps and blocks it out.

End of over 137 runs
PAK: 38/2CRR: 2.92
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12.6

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Short of a length and on middle and off, Abdullah Shafique is solid in his defense.

0
12.5

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Back of a length and on middle, angling in, Abdullah Shafique stays back and pats it down to the leg side.

2
12.4

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, 2 runs

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Lands this on a good length and on off, moves away again. Abdullah Shafique guides it off the outer half of the bat past gully for a brace.

0
12.3

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Fuller and on off, shaping away, Abdullah Shafique gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

4
12.2

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, 4 runs

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FOUR! Excellent shot! A half-volley and around off. Abdullah Shafique leans onto his drive nicely and creams it through covers for a boundary.

LB
12.1

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, 1 run

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Fuller delivery, on the leg stump line, Imam-ul-Haq fails to glance it away as the ball goes off his pads towards short fine. Leg bye taken.

End of over 123 runs
PAK: 31/2CRR: 2.58
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11.6

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Nicely bowled! Gus Atkinson lands this back of a length and in the corridor of uncertainty, gets it to straighten off the deck. Abdullah Shafique has a tentative poke but gets beaten on the outside edge.

0
11.5

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Pulls his length back a bit, on the sixth stump line, shaping in, Abdullah Shafique offers no shot at it.

1
11.4

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, 1 run

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Sticks to the fuller length, on middle, shaping in sharply. Imam-ul-Haq steps across and looks to clip it away but gets an inside edge. It lobs up off the pads but goes well wide of leg gully. They cross.

0
11.3

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Fuller in length once again, but way outside off, holds its line. Imam-ul-Haq leaves it alone.

2
11.2

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, 2 runs

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Pitched up and on middle and leg, Imam-ul-Haq flicks it through backward square leg for a couple of runs.

0
11.1

Gus Atkinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Fuller delivery, on middle, angling in, Imam-ul-Haq leans across and clips it to short mid-wicket.

End of over 113 runs
PAK: 28/2CRR: 2.55
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10.6

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Good length and on off, nips back in, Abdullah Shafique blocks it out towards short cover.

3
10.5

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, 3 runs

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A bit too full, on middle, Imam-ul-Haq shows the full face of the bat and drives it down the ground. Jofra Archer from mid off runs after it to collect it. Three taken.

0
10.4

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Beaten! Ollie Robinson goes a touch fuller and in the channel outside off, shaping away, Imam-ul-Haq has a feel for it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

0
10.3

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Hits the deck hard, on off, gets it to jag back in now, Imam-ul-Haq play down the wrong line and gets hit on his thigh pad.

0
10.2

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Just back of a length and around off, straightens a bit off the deck. Imam-ul-Haq gets squared up as the ball takes the outside edge but goes on the bounce to gully.

0
10.1

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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From around the wicket, serves this full, on off, Imam-ul-Haq steps across and blocks it out.

12:46 PM IST It will be Ollie Robinson from the other end.
End of over 106 runs
PAK: 25/2CRR: 2.50
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9.6

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, 2 runs

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Fuller in length and on off, Abdullah Shafique strides out and pushes it through covers for a couple of runs.

0
9.5

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

Back of a length and on off, Abdullah Shafique stays back and pats it to short cover.

12:45 PM IST All in readiness now! The players are already out in the middle here. Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq will resume batting for Pakistan. Gus Atkinson will finish his incomplete over. Here we go...
1:00 PM IST Update 12.34 pm GMT - We have a restart time, folks! The second session is set to start at 12.45 pm GMT. The skies have brightened considerably, and with conditions looking far more encouraging, the hope is that we can now get a good stretch of play without any further interruptions. If there is no further rain, Tea will be taken at 3.40 pm GMT, with the final session scheduled to begin at 4 pm GMT. The umpires can extend play until 6.30 pm GMT if required, giving both sides extra time to make up for the overs lost earlier.
12:13 PM IST Update 12.11 pm GMT - The latest word from the middle is that an inspection is scheduled for 12.30 pm GMT. That means we will not quite get the start at the scheduled time, but there is plenty of reason for optimism as we await the umpires' assessment.
12:10 PM IST ... DAY 1, SESSION 2 ...
12:06 PM IST Update 12.05 pm GMT - More positive news from the ground as the covers are coming off now. The weather has remained dry, and the groundstaff are making good progress as we edge closer to the action.
11:59 AM IST Update 11.57 am GMT - The sun did make a brief appearance, but it has turned gloomy again. The good news is that the rain has stayed away, allowing the groundstaff to work tirelessly on mopping up. With no further rain for now, there is hope of getting the game underway at the scheduled time.
11:36 AM IST Robinson strikes twice before early break! England capitalized immediately on the conditions in a rain-curtailed opening session, courtesy of a lethal spell from Ollie Robinson. Robinson struck on the very first ball of the match to dismiss Azan Awais for a golden duck and followed up by trapping Shan Masood in front to leave Pakistan reeling at 6/2. Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq managed to absorb the pressure and take the score to 23/2 before persistent drizzle halted the play. With the covers remaining on, the umpires called for an Early Lunch. The second session of the Day is scheduled to start at 12.10 pm GMT, if the weather permits.
11:24 AM IST Update 11.20 am GMT - The rain has eased off for now, but the covers remain firmly in place. With the conditions still not ready for play, the umpires have opted for an EARLY LUNCH at 11.30 am GMT, giving the groundstaff some valuable time to get the playing area ready.
11:24 AM IST Brook on top - Harry Brook has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test batting rankings, moving back above Travis Head, who has slipped to fourth following his low scores in Australia’s shock defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test. Joe Root has also climbed up the rankings and now sits second.
11:13 AM IST Update 11.13 am GMT - The rain continues to fall, but there is a little relief as the conditions have improved slightly. However, the rain needs to stop completely for there to be any realistic chance of a resumption.
11:05 AM IST Update 10.52 am GMT - And there it is! It has started to rain here at Headingley. The groundsmen get the hover covers on, and the players go off the field.
12:10 PM IST Game stopped due to : Wet Ground Condition
11:22 AM IST Game stopped due to : Wet Ground Condition
10:50 AM IST Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage
0
9.4

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Is there an inside edge? Back of a length, shaping in, on leg. Abdullah Shafique looks to block it but gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball carries towards the keeper, Jamie Smith, who takes the catch diving to his left. A loud appeal but turned down. Joe Root sends it upstairs to have a check. Ultra Edge shows that the ball hits his thighs, and Ball Tracking shows that the ball was going over the leg pole. The on-field call of Not Out stands. England lose another review inside 10 overs.

0
9.3

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Angling in, on off, Abdullah Shafique pushes it to mid on.

4
9.2

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, 4 runs

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FOUR! That's a beautiful cover drive! A bit too full, outside off, Abdullah Shafique leans on and cracks a drive through covers for a boundary.

0
9.1

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

Angling in, on off, Abdullah Shafique knocks it to mid on.

End of over 95 runs
PAK: 19/2CRR: 2.11
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4
8.6

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, 4 runs

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FOUR! Streaky from Imam-ul-Haq! Good length and on off, with a hint of movement. Imam-ul-Haq looks to block it but gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes through the fourth slip and the gully fielder for a boundary.

0
8.5

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Beaten! This is excellent bowling from Ollie Robinson. Length and just outside off, shaping away. Imam-ul-Haq tries to block it but gets beaten all ends up.

0
8.4

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Fullish again, on middle, Imam-ul-Haq blocks it back to the bowler.

0
8.3

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Keeps it full and outside off, Imam-ul-Haq tries to block it but misses.

1
8.2

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, 1 run

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A tad fuller, outside off, Abdullah Shafique pushes it to point for a single.

0
8.1

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Back of a length, outside off, Abdullah Shafique shoulders arms at it.

End of over 83 runs
PAK: 14/2CRR: 1.75
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7.6

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, 1 run

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Hard length but on the leg stump line, Abdullah Shafique misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads towards fine leg. Leg bye taken.

0
7.5

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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That's a beauty! Gus Atkinson goes a bit fuller and much closer to the stumps, getting it to shape away late. Abdullah Shafique gets drawn forward on the defensive stroke but the ball zips past the outside edge.

0
7.4

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Just back of a length and outside off, shaping away. Abdullah Shafique plays well inside the line of it as the ball goes through to the keeper.

0
7.3

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Touch fuller and on middle, shaping in, Abdullah Shafique knocks it towards mid on.

2
7.2

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, 2 runs

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Lands this on a good length, on middle, angling into the batter. Abdullah Shafique hops up and clips it through square leg for a couple of runs.

0
7.1

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Nice and full, on middle, Abdullah Shafique blocks it back to the bowler.

End of over 70 run
PAK: 11/2CRR: 1.57
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6.6

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Hard length, on off, Imam-ul-Haq stabs it to mid off. Maiden over!

0
6.5

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Too full, on off, Imam-ul-Haq defends it to mid on.

0
6.4

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Much fuller, on middle, Imam-ul-Haq stabs it to the fielder at mid on.

0
6.3

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Shaping in, on middle, Imam-ul-Haq defends it back to the bowler.

0
6.2

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Back of a length, on middle, Imam-ul-Haq tries to block it but gets an inside edge onto his thighs.

0
6.1

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Edgy! Hard length, on off, shaping away. Imam-ul-Haq looks to block it but gets a thick outside edge. The ball lands just short of Emilio Gay at fourth slip. Dot.

End of over 64 runs
PAK: 11/2CRR: 1.83
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5.6

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Much fuller, on middle, Abdullah Shafique taps it to the fielder at mid on.

0
5.5

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Tight leave! Back of a length, shaping in, just outside off. Abdullah Shafique reads it well and makes a tight leave.

4
5.4

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, 4 runs

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FOUR! First boundary of the day! Full and on middle and leg, Abdullah Shafique watches the ball and knocks it firmly through mid on. Josh Tongue dives to his left but fails to stop the ball and it races away to the fence.

0
5.3

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Hard length, on off, shaping in. Abdullah Shafique blocks it back towards the bowler.

0
5.2

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Back of a length, outside off, shaping in. Abdullah Shafique reads it well and leaves it alone.

0
5.1

Gus Atkinson to Abdullah Shafique, no run

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Nice and full from Gus Atkinson, on middle, Abdullah Shafique blocks it back to the bowler.

10:31 AM IST Gus Atkinson comes into the attack now. With a big band of rain approaching the ground, Joe Root just wants to see if Gus can get more from this wicket than Archer.
End of over 54 runs
PAK: 7/2CRR: 1.40
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1
4.6

Ollie Robinson to Abdullah Shafique, 1 run

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Good length, on middle, Abdullah Shafique looks to flick it but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls towards backward square leg. They cross.

10:31 AM IST Another one falls for Pakistan. Abdullah Shafique is the next batter. A lot of dark clouds now hover over the ground. Nasser Hussain on air mentions that a shower is not too far away.
W
4.5

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, no run

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OUT! LBW! Ollie Robinson gets another wicket. The change of angle works a treat for him. He comes over the wicket and serves this a tad fuller, on middle, with a hint of inward movement. Shan Masood leans on and looks to drive it but gets beaten completely as the ball sneaks past the inside edge and hits his pad. A loud appeal and the finger goes up straightaway. Shan Masood doesn't bother to review this one as it is plumb in front. Pakistan are 6/2 after 4.5 overs.

2
4.4

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, 2 runs

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Keeps it full, on leg, Shan Masood flicks it through backward square leg for a brace.

0
4.3

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, no run

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Hard length, just outside off, Shan Masood taps it to the fielder at gully. Dot.

1
4.2

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, 1 run

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Fullish, on leg, Imam-ul-Haq flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

0
4.1

Ollie Robinson to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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A loud appeal for LBW but turned down. Serves it on a good length, shaping in sharply, from outside off. Imam-ul-Haq tries to block it from the crease but wears it on his pads. Impact is the only concern here, but Joe Root sends it upstairs to have a check. Nothing on Ultra Edge and Ball Tracking shows that the impact was, indeed, outside the line of the off stump. England lose a review.

End of over 40 run
PAK: 3/1CRR: 0.75
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0
3.6

Jofra Archer to Shan Masood, no run

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Another maiden from Jofra Archer. Angling in, on off, Shan Masood blocks it back towards the bowler.

0
3.5

Jofra Archer to Shan Masood, no run

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Good length, down the leg side, Shan Masood leaves it alone. The keeper dives to her right and makes a good stop. Five dots now.

0
3.4

Jofra Archer to Shan Masood, no run

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Hard length but way outside off, Shan Masood leaves it alone.

0
3.3

Jofra Archer to Shan Masood, no run

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Sways it down the leg side, Shan Masood tries to flick it but misses.

0
3.2

Jofra Archer to Shan Masood, no run

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Shaping away, outside off, Shan Masood leaves it alone towards the keeper.

0
3.1

Jofra Archer to Shan Masood, no run

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Down the leg side, Shan Masood tries to flick it but misses.

10:18 AM IST Shan Masood is not happy with a camera positioned in front of the sight screen. It has been removed, and we are good to go again.
End of over 31 run
PAK: 3/1CRR: 1.00
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1
2.6

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, 1 run

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Keeps it full, just outside off, Shan Masood pushes it to cover for a single.

0
2.5

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, no run

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Fullish, on middle, Shan Masood flicks it to mid-wicket.

0
2.4

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, no run

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Beaten! Back of a length, shaping away, outside off. Shan Masood tries to block it but misses.

0
2.3

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, no run

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Slows it up, outside off, Shan Masood shoulders arms at it.

0
2.2

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, no run

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Shaping in, on middle, Shan Masood eases it back to the bowler.

0
2.1

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, no run

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A bit too full, on middle, Shan Masood covers his line and blocks it back to the bowler.

End of over 20 run
PAK: 2/1CRR: 1.00
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0
1.6

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Bangs it short, outside off, Imam-ul-Haq shoulders arms at it again. Maiden over!

0
1.5

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Short, outside off, Imam-ul-Haq shoulders arms at it.

0
1.4

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Drags his length back, on off, Imam-ul-Haq stabs it to point.

0
1.3

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Edged, doesn't carry! Full, on off, Imam-ul-Haq looks to block it but the ball shapes away to take the outside edge. Luckily, the ball doesn't carry to second slip.

0
1.2

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Bangs it short, just outside off, Imam-ul-Haq sways away from it.

0
1.1

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq, no run

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Back of a length, outside off, Imam-ul-Haq shoulders arms at it.

10:07 AM IST A nice start from Ollie Robinson. Jofra Archer to share the attack.
End of over 12 runs
PAK: 2/1CRR: 2.00
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2
0.6

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, 2 runs

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A tidy start from Ollie Robinson. Full and on leg, Shan Masood flicks it to mid-wicket. The misfield from Jofra Archer allows the batters to collect two runs.

0
0.5

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, no run

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Keeps it full, on middle, Shan Masood blocks it to the right of the bowler.

0
0.4

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, no run

Nice and full, on off, Shan Masood eases it back to the bowler.

0
0.3

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, no run

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Play and a miss! Hard length, outside off, shaping away. Shan Masood looks to block it but gets beaten.

0
0.2

Ollie Robinson to Shan Masood, no run

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Good length, on off, Shan Masood blocks it to the fielder at mid on.

10:05 AM IST What a start from England. Shan Masood walks in at number 3.
W
0.1

Ollie Robinson to Azan Awais, no run

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OUT! LBW! Ollie Robinson with a perfect start for England. Angling in from around the wicket, on a length, on off. Azan Awais leans on and looks to block it but gets beaten completely. The ball zips past the inside edge and hits his pads, and the finger goes up straightaway. Azan Awais sends it upstairs to have a check. Nothing on Ultra Edge, and Ball Tracking shows three reds, with the ball hitting the top of the middle stump. The on-field decision stands. Pakistan are 0/1!

10:07 AM IST We are done with the pre-match formalities. Azan Awais and Imam-ul-Haq open for Pakistan. Ollie Robinson will start with the new ball for England. Let's go...
9:58 AM IST Time for national anthems - We are all set for the game to begin. Both sides stride out in the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. First up will be the national anthem of Pakistan, followed by England's.
9:55 AM IST PITCH REPORT - Dinesh Karthik and Michael Atherton are pitchside. Karthik says that it is a hybrid pitch. Adds that there is a nice covering of brown grass, it is nice and hard and he is expecting a lot of runs. Atherton says that the outfield will be fast, but you would rather watch the overhead conditions than the surface. He shares that the last 7 Test matches played here have been won by the team batting first.
9:52 AM IST The captain of Pakistan - Salman Agha says that he is aiming to end Pakistan's series drought in England. He states that he wanted to bat first to set up a strong performance. He confirms a balanced lineup featuring seven proper batters and four primary bowlers, three seamers and one specialist spinner, with himself ready to bowl if required.
10:08 AM IST The captain of England - Joe Root says that they will bowl first and exploit early moisture and overhead conditions. He says that they will stick to a positive playing style and adapt to match situations. He reckons that Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, and Ben Duckett are coming off good seasons in the Hundred, and reckons that when you are in form, the format does not matter. Ends by saying that they have four seamers in their side.
9:37 AM IST Pakistan (Playing XI) - Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Agha (C), Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
9:37 AM IST England (Playing XI) - Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (C), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (WK), Ollie Robinson, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.
9:33 AM IST TOSS - Joe Root wins the coin-flip on his return as Test captain. England elect to BOWL first.
9:20 AM IST Electric atmosphere in Yorkshire - Overhead conditions in Leeds look crisp and ready for red-ball cricket, offering early movement for the seamers before settling into a good surface for the batter. Pakistan are chasing their first Test series triumph in England since 1996, while the hosts are determined to kick off the post-Bazball era on a winning note in front of their passionate home crowd. Can Salman Agha rally his troops to a historic win, or will Joe Root mark his captaincy comeback with a commanding display? Stay tuned as the captains walk out for the toss!
9:04 AM IST Root's home return and new combinations - England will look to settle their new-look batting order right from ball one. With Jacob Bethell ruled out through injury, Jordan Cox gets a golden opportunity at number three to anchor the innings alongside in-form local stalwarts Joe Root and Harry Brook. The hosts have plenty of firepower with Dan Lawrence slotting into the middle order, while Jofra Archer and a fully fit Ollie Robinson lead a menacing pace attack. Learning from their recent series against New Zealand, England's priority will be exercising patience and constructing heavy first-innings totals.
9:21 AM IST Pakistan stepping up without Babar - For Pakistan, the immediate challenge is adapting quickly after regular skipper Babar Azam was sidelined with a hand injury. Stand-in captain Salman Agha must inspire his top order to show resilience against the moving Duke ball. The tourists will take immense confidence from Saud Shakeel's fine hundred in the warm-up fixture and Shan Masood's return to fitness. After settling for a 1-1 draw in the West Indies, Pakistan need their experienced pacer Mohammad Abbas and the pace attack to hit the ground running to challenge the hosts.
9:08 AM IST Hello and welcome to Leeds! A massive welcome to cricket enthusiasts across the world! We are live from the iconic Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds for the opening clash of the three-match series between England and Pakistan. This encounter marks the dawn of a fresh chapter in English red-ball cricket as Joe Root steps out for his second stint as Test captain following the retirement of Ben Stokes and the departure of coach Brendon McCullum. With Marcus Trescothick in interim charge and both teams eager to set the tone, Headingley is buzzing for what promises to be five days of top-quality Test action!
9:00 AM IST ... DAY 1, SESSION 1 ...
5:38 PM IST A new future, with legendary rivalry - Those were the days. The Fab Five were they called. Steve Smith. Kane Williamson. Joe Root. Babar Azam. Virat Kohli. Tune into a match featuring any of these legends, and more often than not, you were guaranteed a great knock. Then, with time, things started to change. Two of those legends retired, which now leaves us with the remaining three - Smith, Root and Babar. Curiously, all five of these legends assumed captaincy and then, with time, all of those stepped down as well. But now, with a fair bit of turmoil in both England and Pakistan cricket, Joe Root and Babar Azam have been assigned the leadership roles once again, in the hope of setting the pathway for a new bright future. And the first assignment in that role, as far as Root is concerned, is a Test series between England and Pakistan. Babar's captaincy 2.0 started with Pakistan's recent tour of West Indies. But... Babar? Oh dear. The match has not even started, but has the commentator's curse already been applied? In that tour of the Caribbean, Babar sustained an injury on his right hand, while batting in the second Test. And to remind him that fate can be cruel sometimes, Azam got struck on the same area in Pakistan's warm-up game! As a result, the news is that BABAR AZAM HAS BEEN RULED OUT OF THE FIRST TEST. Salman Agha has been chosen as the stand-in captain for this Test. First match as captain - Well, with Azam not fit, the possible options were Shan Masood, the recent ex captain, who himself is trying to recover from a fractured finger after a blow in the first Test against West Indies. The second was Mohammad Rizwan, if the management wanted to play safe. However, by going in with Agha, purely due to his white-ball credentials, the Pakistan management might be hinting towards the future. May not be immediate, but certainly a step in that direction. Pakistan's batting a concern- As always. Since the retirement of greats like Inzamam and Mohd. Yousuf, there has been a lack of reliability in the batting lineup. Only Babar and Rizwan have shown reasonable consistency and given how the Dukes ball moves around in English conditions, only batters with strong technique can survive here. From the current squad, Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel have exhibited glimpses of excellent footwork and technique, but eventually, the results are not that consistent. The rest of the batting lineup is fairly new and as always, the load is going to fall on Babar and Rizwan. Or, in this case, solely Rizwan. Strong bowling attack - That's one department which has always been throwing up excellent talent from Pakistan, despite the retirement of legends like Wasim, Waqar, Aaqib and Shoaib. We can just go on and on. Mohammad Abbas could be their leading strike force here, and even though he does not have enough pace, he can be what Chris Woakes has been for England over the years. Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad are gelling in nicely too. The spin department is looking slightly inexperienced but given the conditions, one assumes that one spinner would be more than enough here and Sajid should do a decent job. A new era - It is always difficult to establish a new regime with old players. For 5 years, the combination of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum tried to redefine the way England should play. They managed to be successful in the shorter versions of the game, but the longer one has been hit and miss. Out of 43 matches as a long-term Test skipper (Stokes had captained a solitary match in 2020 as a stand-in one), the team won 24 matches. 17 of the remaining 19 were losses. Hence, while the era was exciting to watch, a roughly 50-50 success rate is not what the management would have envisaged. Not to mention, two away Ashes debacles were involved as well. So, like a change in government, the management has decided to change the skipper and the coach, but because there is a fair bit of inexperience in the squad, the new regime will start with the old guy. With many players from the squad having been used to playing under Stokes' style, what will be the mantra of Root and the new coach - Stephen Fleming? Do they tweak the style or just get a new style of their own? Bowling looking better - Another issue with the Bazball era was that the pitches were made so flat in England that the bowlers barely got any purchase from the surface once the ball lost its swing. Hence, while we saw scores being made at a brisk rate by the batters, and high fourth-innings totals, the flat pitches made life easier for the opposition batters too, whose bowlers were better than the hosts in the latter's backyard. However, with time, England have found some decent pacers again, in the form of Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue. There is Jofra Archer around as well, but his injury management means that he usually plays only 50-60 per cent of the Tests in a series. Still, against an inexperienced opposition batting lineup, the improving fast bowling stocks of the hosts will feel a lot more confident. Team form (Last 5 completed Tests, recent first) - Eng - LLWLW | Pak - WLLLL. High-scoring encounter to start? A really intriguing pitch awaits us for the start of the series. The last Test played at this venue was in 2025, between India and England, where all four innings registered totals in excess of 350, with the hosts making a mockery of a run chase of 371, winning it with 5 wickets to spare. However, batting has been fairly difficult at this venue, as the pitches usually offer good pace and bounce. There is significant seam movement on offer as well, but given the disparity in the last two Tests here, it is pretty difficult to expect what could be on offer. One thing has shown consistency though - the pitches tend to get better from Day 2 onwards. The last 7 matches have seen teams win bowling first, so one can expect the captain winning the toss to do the same here. Hosts start as favourites - At least, on paper. Given the injury concerns in Pakistan's camp. Additionally, Pakistan have won only two Tests here, out of 11 played - 1 way back in 1987 against England, and the other being against Australia, with Leeds chosen as the neutral venue, in 2010. Going further, England have won their last 6 Tests at this venue, with their last defeat here coming against West Indies in 2017. So the numbers are stacking up against the tourists, but that's what Pakistan bring with them - the unexpected. If there is decent seam movement, this should be a good outing for their seamers, which could keep the match in the balance - especially with showers forecast on the first 3 days.
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Match Details

Venue
Headingley, Leeds
Toss
England, elected to field
Series
Pakistan in England, 3 Test Series, 2026
Series Period
19 Aug 2026 - 13 Sep 2026
Match Day
19 Aug 2026 - (20 - over match)
Umpires
Allahudien Paleker (SA), Chris Gaffaney (NZ) and Paul Reiffel (AUS)
Match Referee
Ranjan Madugalle (SL)