England showed an excellent batting display as they moved into a 34-run lead over Pakistan on the second day of the Leeds Test, reaching 205 for 4 in response to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 171. Rain disrupted proceedings at Headingley, delaying the start of play and reducing the opening session. Play resumed once weather conditions improved, allowing England to build a strong position in the match.
For England, Jordan Cox played a brilliant innings of 73, while captain Joe Root scored 66. The pair shared a crucial 150-run partnership for the third wicket. Cox scored 73 off 100 balls, hitting 14 fours, while Root made 66 off 112 balls, including 10 fours.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali and Ali Usman took one wicket each. Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 171 in their first innings. Abdullah Shafique top-scored with 61, while Imam-ul-Haq contributed 42. England’s Ollie Robinson bowled superbly, claiming five wickets, while Josh Tongue also took five wickets to dismiss Pakistan’s batsmen.
Persistent rain disrupted the second day of the first Test between England and Pakistan at Headingley on Thursday, with the opening session completely washed out and an early lunch called without a ball being bowled. Heavy showers continued throughout the morning, making it impossible for play to resume and leaving both teams waiting for a break in the weather.
England had finished the opening day on 112/2, with Jordan Cox unbeaten on 37 and captain Joe Root on 23. The hosts were still 59 runs behind Pakistan’s first-innings total of 171. England had made a positive start to their reply, with openers Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay putting together 36 runs. Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas then dismissed Duckett leg before wicket in the 10th over.
Gay was removed in the following over by Mohammad Ali after scoring 33 off 31 deliveries, including seven fours. Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 171 in 48.1 overs, with England pacers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue taking five wickets each. Pakistan’s innings got off to a disastrous start when Robinson dismissed opener Azan Awais lbw with the very first delivery of the match. Robinson struck again in the fifth over, removing former Pakistan captain Shan Masood for five off 20 balls and leaving the visitors reeling at 6/2. Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique then steadied the innings with a 17-run partnership before rain interrupted play.