LEEDS: England pacer Ollie Robinson struck with the first ball of the opening Test against Pakistan at Headingley on Wednesday after England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to bowl.
Root opted to field under overcast conditions, citing moisture on the pitch and favourable overhead conditions for England’s seam attack.
England named four specialist fast bowlers for the match — Robinson, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue. Root and Dan Lawrence provide additional spin options.
Pakistan are led by Salman Agha in the absence of Babar Azam, who was ruled out after suffering a finger injury during the team’s recent preparations.
Salman said Pakistan would have preferred to bat first and named a side featuring left-arm spinner Ali Usman.
Pakistan also recalled Shan Masood after he recovered from a hand injury. Saud Shakeel returned after overcoming his own fitness concerns.
Fast bowler Ubaid Shah missed out on selection, with Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad making up Pakistan’s main pace attack.
The three-Test series opener is the first of matches at Headingley, Lord’s and Edgbaston. The second Test begins at Lord’s on August 27, while the third starts at Edgbaston on September 9.
Pakistan have not won a Test series in England since 1996. They have lost 13 of their last 18 Tests against England.
England also enter the series looking to improve their recent record, having won only two of their last 10 Tests.
England XI: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (captain), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Ollie Robinson, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.
Pakistan XI: Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Agha (captain), Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
