Pakistan faced a difficult challenge in the second Test at Lord’s after England set them a huge target of 389 runs to win.
England were bowled out for 208 in their second innings. Pakistan’s bowlers produced a strong performance, but the hosts had already built a commanding lead after dominating the first innings.
Mohammad Abbas was Pakistan’s best bowler. He completed a five-wicket haul in England’s second innings. Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad took two wickets each.
England had resumed their innings at 177 for seven. Dan Lawrence was unbeaten on 50, while Ollie Robinson was on two.
Abbas leads Pakistan’s bowling attack
Pakistan struck quickly after play resumed. Abbas dismissed Lawrence for 54 and then removed Robinson for eight.
England slipped to 187 for nine before eventually being dismissed for 208.
Lawrence’s half-century was important for England. Harry Brook contributed 34, Emilio Gay scored 31 and Joe Root made 24. Jordan Cox added 11.
Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson scored seven runs each.
However, rain and lightening had affected the third day, allowing only 24.5 overs of play. England ended that day at 177 for seven.
Earlier, England had scored 290 in their first innings. Smith led the scoring with 61, while Cox made 55 and Atkinson contributed 45.
Abbas took four wickets in that innings. Mohammad Ali claimed three, while Khurram Shahzad and Ali Usman took one each.
Pakistan’s first-innings struggle
Pakistan struggled with the bat and were dismissed for only 110 in 37.2 overs. This gave England a first-innings lead of 180 runs.
Azan Awais was Pakistan’s highest scorer with 46. Saud Shakeel made 16, while Babar Azam scored 8 and Mohammad Rizwan 7.
Eight Pakistani batters struggled in batting. Imam-ul-Haq did not bat because of injury.
Ollie Robinson took four wickets, Jofra Archer claimed three and Josh Tongue picked up two for England.
Pakistan entered the Lord’s Test already under pressure after losing the opening match by an innings and 103 runs. England had scored 409 before dismissing Pakistan for 171 and 135.
England currently lead the three-match series 1-0. Pakistan now has to chase 389 at Lord’s to level up the series.
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