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Robinson makes history as Pakistan collapse against England / Photo: © AFP
Robinson makes history as Pakistan collapse against England
Ollie Robinson became the first man to take a wicket with the first ball of a Test series in England as the recalled seamer gave the hosts the advantage on the first day against Pakistan at Headingley on Wednesday.
Pakistan were 150-7 at tea on the opening day of a three-match campaign in England's first Test of the post-Bazball era.
Sussex captain Robinson's impressive figures of 4-39 in 16 overs did the bulk of the damage to Pakistan.
Fast bowler Josh Tongue (3-41 in 7.4 overs) was left on a hat-trick after removing stand-in Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and Ali Usman with what became the last two balls of the second session.
After Joe Root won the toss and elected to field at the start of his second spell as England captain, Robinson wasted no time in having Azan Awais lbw for a golden duck.
It was a fine way for the 32-year-old -- recalled in place of off-spinner Shoaib Bashir -- to take his 500th first-class wicket at an impressively low average of 21.
Shan Masood had managed just five when he too fell lbw to Robinson, bowling over the wicket at the left-hander and moving the ball back into the batsman's pads.
Imam-ul-Haq (42) and Abdullah Shafique (61) revived Pakistan's innings with a stand of 91 that spanned a rain delay of over an hour.
But Robinson kept England on top in their first Test following the exits of former captain Ben Stokes, who has retired from international duty, and Brendon McCullum, who was sacked as red-ball coach after the recent series defeat against New Zealand.
Imam was well caught low at second slip by Harry Brook following a loose drive outside off stump against Tongue.
Shafique completed a fine 82-ball fifty, including seven fours.
But Saud Shakeel fell for just five when he was lbw to Robinson following the bowler's prolonged appeal.
Umpire Allahuddien Paleker took an age to raise his finger and Shakeel was then ruled to have taken too long to review the South African umpire's decision.
To make matters worse for Pakistan, replays indicated the ball would have missed leg stump.
There was no doubt, however as 117-4 became 118-5 when, with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith stood up to the stumps, Robinson clean bowled Shafique with a nip-back delivery.
Agha (21) played round a straight ball from Tongue, who then had Usman lbw next ball.
N.Wilson--SFF
