Pakistan spinner Ali Usman claimed a historic five-wicket haul on August 20, 2026, becoming the first overseas spinner since 1972 to take five wickets in a Test innings at Headingley, as England established a commanding 195-run lead by stumps on Day 2 of the first Test in Leeds.
Pakistan’s bowling attack found itself chasing shadows on a rain-affected Thursday in West Yorkshire, but one standout performance managed to carve a place in the record books. Ali Usman delivered a disciplined spell on the second day of the first Test against England at Headingley, finishing with figures that ended a 54-year wait for visiting slow bowlers at the venue. The last overseas spinner to take a five-wicket haul at Leeds was Australia’s Ashley Mallett during the 1972 Ashes.
How Usman Broke a Five-Decade Drought at Headingley
Rain restricted play to just 57 overs on Day 2, pushing the start back to 2:45 PM. When play resumed under dark grey skies with the assistance of artificial lights, Pakistan enjoyed helpful overhead conditions. The ball nipped around early, yet the visiting bowlers failed to maintain consistent lines, allowing Joe Root and Jordan Cox to extend an overnight partnership into a 150-run stand for the third wicket.
Once introduced into the attack, however, Usman found purchase as the pitch began to slow down. In a frantic final half-hour before stumps, he picked up three quick wickets to complete his maiden Test five-for. He dismissed Dan Lawrence with a miscued sweep, trapped Gus Atkinson in front, and beat Ollie Robinson’s outside edge to castle him. Alongside those scalps, Usman removed Jordan Cox for 73 and halted Harry Brook at 91, denying the Yorkshire batter another century at his home ground after he had scored 99 against India at the venue the previous year.
The milestone also made Usman the first visiting left-arm spinner to take five wickets in a Test innings in England since Shakib Al Hasan achieved the feat in 2010.
Self-Critique Overshadows a Personal Landmark
Despite finishing with figures of 5/95 from 24 overs, Usman made it clear that personal milestones offered little comfort given the match situation. England eventually pushed their total to 409 all out in 89.5 overs, securing a commanding 238-run lead before Pakistan’s second innings began.
“Our bowling was not up to standard today, including myself. I took five wickets, but we’ve given away too many runs as a bowling unit. We’ll work on our mistakes and try not to repeat them.”
Ali Usman, Pakistan spinner
Usman explained that his strategy centered on keeping his deliveries tight against batters who were quick to punish any loose room. I wanted to bowl within the stumps,
he said, noting that Harry Brook proved especially difficult to dislodge because of his footwork.
England’s Lower Order Extends the Advantage
England’s ability to build significant partnerships throughout the lineup frustrated the visitors. Joe Root contributed 66 runs, anchoring the early response alongside Cox. Later in the innings, a 120-run partnership between Lawrence and Brook cemented the hosts’ dominance.
The lower order added crucial runs once Day 3 got underway. Jofra Archer remained unbeaten with 23 off 25 deliveries, hitting two fours and a six, while Jamie Smith chipped in with 25 before falling to Khurram Shahzad. Khurram finished with 3/133, while Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali claimed one wicket apiece.
An Uphill Battle as Pakistan Responds
Having been bowled out for a meager 171 in their first innings, Pakistan’s troubles compounded when they lost early wickets in their second turn at the crease. Opener Imam-ul-Haq failed to score, Azan Awais managed nine, and Abdullah Shafique departed for 15, leaving the visitors struggling at 51/3 and reaching 59/3 by lunch.
Even with the deficit mounting, Usman believes the pitch conditions will alter drastically as the match progresses, offering hope that spin will play a larger role over the remaining days. England, notably, did not select a specialist spinner for the fixture, relying instead on Dan Lawrence if needed.
I think day-by-day the wicket is slowing down,
Usman observed. It’s slow already, it’s not especially fast, but on the next three days it’s going to take a lot more turn.
Pakistan’s immediate objective requires their remaining batters to adopt a positive session-by-session approach to salvage the fixture.
