England bowl out Pakistan as Root returns to captaincy

Joe Root began his second spell as England captain with a commanding opening day, as pace bowlers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue skittled Pakistan for 171 on Wednesday at Headingley. England then reduced the deficit to 59 runs, closing on 112-2 after a dominant first day of the Rothesay Series.

Root, returning to the leadership following the retirement of Ben Stokes and the departure of coach Brendon McCullum, won the toss and elected to bowl under overcast skies. The decision was immediately vindicated when Robinson dismissed Azan Awais with the very first ball of the match, trapping the left-hander lbw for a duck. Robinson, who had been recalled to the side earlier in the summer, soon had a second wicket, removing Shan Masood in a similar fashion to leave Pakistan reeling. Rain interrupted play with the tourists struggling, but upon the resumption, a third-wicket partnership of 91 between Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique offered brief resistance.

The breakthrough came when Tongue, initially finding his length, had Imam caught at second slip for 42. Robinson then claimed the crucial wicket of Shafique, who had battled to 61, bowled by a delivery that jagged back. Tongue then...