England Win Toss and Opt to Bowl in Headingley Test

Pakistan vs England opened the three-match Test series at Headingley on Wednesday, with England winning the toss and choosing to bowl first.

England captain Joe Root opted to field after winning the toss. Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha took charge of Pakistan in the absence of regular captain Babar Azam, who is sidelined with an injury.

Pakistan named Imam-ul-Haq, Aizaan Awais, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel in their batting line-up. Mohammad Rizwan, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Abbas also feature alongside captain Salman.

England’s XI includes Joe Root, Emily Guy, Ben Duckett, Jordan Cox, Harry Brook, Dean Larson, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tong.

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England Backed by Headingley Record

Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said the team entered the Test with high morale after winning their practice match.

However, England have enjoyed success chasing difficult targets at Headingley. They have successfully pursued totals of 294, 251 and 371 in the fourth innings during their last three Tests at the venue.

That record gives England confidence as they begin the series on home soil.

Root Begins Second Captaincy Stint

The match also marks Joe Root’s return to the England Test captaincy.

Root previously led England in Tests from 2017 to 2022. He now begins his second stint as captain with a three-match series against Pakistan.

The teams will move to Lord’s for the second Test, which starts on August 27. The final Test will take place in Birmingham from September 9.