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Robinson double rocks Pakistan in first Test before rain stops play London (AFP) – England bowler Ollie Robinson took a wicket with the first ball of the match as his double strike left Pakistan reeling before rain stopped play in the first Test at Headingley on Wednesday. Issued on: Robinson celebrated his recall in style in England's first Test since the exits of Ben Stokes, their former captain, and Brendon McCullum, sacked as red-ball coach. By the time rain halted play after 50 minutes, Pakistan -- without injured captain Babar Azam for the start of the three-Test series -- were stumbling at 23-2. Imam-ul-Haq was five not out and Abdullah Shafique unbeaten on 12. Robinson had figures of 2-12 in five overs, with the umpires later announcing lunch would be taken 30 minutes early at 12:30 pm (1130 GMT). Joe Root, in his second stint as full-time England captain, explained his decision to field first after winning the toss by saying: "We feel there's some overheads to work with, and a bit of top moisture that our lads can exploit." But not even Root, all-rounder Stokes's predecessor as skipper, could have forecast what happened next. Robinson, recalled in place of off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, was on target with the first ball of the match, trapping left-hander Azan Awais lbw. Awais reviewed but umpire Chris Gaffaney's decision was upheld, with replays indicating the ball would have hit the top of middle stump. It was a fine way for the 32-year-old Robinson 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. Shafique drove Gus Atkinson for four before he survived a confident caught behind appeal, with umpire Allahuddien Paleker correctly ruling the rising ball had flicked the batsman's leg instead. © 2026 AFP