England were dismissed for 290 in their first innings against Pakistan at Lord’s, with Mohammad Abbas leading the attack with four wickets and Mohammad Ali taking three. Jordan Cox was England’s leading scorer with 55, while Jamie Smith struck a quickfire 61 off 80 balls, including 10 fours. Gus Atkinson contributed 45, and Josh Tongue remained unbeaten on 30 as England’s lower order added valuable runs after the hosts slipped to 222 for eight.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to field, with Abbas making an immediate impact. He removed Emilio Gay for eight and Ben Duckett for 17 before trapping England captain Joe Root lbw for just four. Mohammad Ali then dismissed Harry Brook for 15, leaving England struggling at 77 for four.
Cox and Dan Lawrence attempted to rebuild the innings, but their partnership was broken when Lawrence was run out for 17, with England reaching 120 for five.
Cox went on to register his second consecutive Test half-century before being dismissed for 55. Substitute fielder Salman Agha produced an outstanding catch at second slip to end his innings.
Smith then took the attack to Pakistan, scoring 61 from 80 deliveries and striking 10 boundaries. His dismissal by Ali triggered another setback for England, with Ollie Robinson also falling to the same bowler in successive deliveries. Abbas completed his four-wicket haul by dismissing Jofra Archer for 14, finishing with figures of four for 73.
However, Atkinson and Tongue frustrated Pakistan with a crucial late stand. The pair pushed England towards the 300 mark before Atkinson was dismissed for 45 by Ali Usman, leaving Tongue unbeaten on 30. England’s lower-order resistance proved crucial after Pakistan had reduced them to 222 for eight and appeared on course to finish the innings much sooner.