Joe Root marked his return as England Test captain with a composed, low-key display as his side dismissed Pakistan for 171 on day one of the opening Test at Headingley, signalling a steady start to the post-Ben Stokes era. Root, reinstated after previously stepping down from the role, shared leadership responsibilities smoothly with vice-captain Harry Brook, the two Yorkshire team-mates working in tandem rather than any rivalry emerging over who missed out on the captaincy.

Root won the toss, watched Ollie Robinson strike with the game's opening ball, and later showed a ruthless edge by removing Jofra Archer from the attack after two wayward overs. He captained from mid-off rather than his usual slip position, a tactical shift designed to keep him closer to his bowlers and in control of ball distribution, echoing methods used by predecessors Stokes and Michael Vaughan. Robinson credited Root's light-touch approach, saying he was largely left to execute his own plans, while Brook's sharp fielding suggestions, such as reinforcing the gully early on, also shaped the day's tactics.