Ollie Robinson Makes Test History In England, Matches Kapil Dev's Rare Feat In 1st Test Against Pakistan
England pacer Ollie Robinson took a wicket on the very first ball of the first Test against Pakistan on Wednesday, achieving a unique feat.
- England pacer Ollie Robinson dismissed Pakistan's Azan Awaits on the first ball of the first Test
- Robinson became the first since Kapil Dev to dismiss a Pakistan batter on the first ball of a Test
- He also became the first player to take a wicket on the first ball of a Test series in England
Pacer Ollie Robinson gave England the perfect start to their first Test against Pakistan on Wednesday, as he dismissed opener Azan Awais on the very first ball of the match. Robinson's sharp inswinger left Awais with no answer, trapping him LBW. The wicket saw Robinson achieve a rare feat that only legendary India all-rounder Kapil Dev had done in the past. Robinson became the first player since Kapil in 1983 to dismiss a Pakistan batter on the very first ball of a Test match. Kapil had dismissed Mohsin Khan on the first ball of a Test, 43 years ago.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue took five apiece wickets as England made a strong start to the post-Bazball era by dismissing Pakistan for 171 in the first Test at Headingley on Wednesday.
Recalled seamer Robinson became the first man to take a wicket with the first ball of a Test series in England on his way to impressive figures of 5-51 in 18 overs.
Paceman Tongue finished with 5-46 in 9.1 overs as Pakistan crumbled.
Imam-ul-Haq (42) and Abdullah Shafique (61) offered the only resistance for Pakistan, who are without a series win in England in 30 years.
But from 117-3, Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for 54 runs, bowled out in dismal fashion inside 49 overs.
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 memorable 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.
England were playing their first Test following the exits of former captain Ben Stokes, who has retired from international duty, and Brendon McCullum, sacked as red-ball coach after the recent series defeat against New Zealand.
They showed no signs of being affected by those departures as Pakistan were put to the sword.
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 standing up to the stumps, Robinson clean bowled Shafique with a nip-back delivery.
Stand-in Pakistan captain Salman Agha (21), deputising for injured skipper Babar Azam, played round a straight ball from Tongue, who then had Ali Usman lbw next ball.
That left the fast bowler on a hat-trick at tea.
Khurram Shahzad denied Tongue that prize by driving the first ball after tea for four. But Tongue soon had Mohammad Rizwan lbw.
Robinson completed his fifth five-wicket haul in just 22 Tests when Shahzad holed out.
Tongue put an exclamation point on England's dominant display when he bowled Mohammad Abbas for his fifth wicket.
With AFP inputs
England Cricket Team
Pakistan Cricket Team