England strengthened their position in the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s after being bowled out for 208 in their second innings and setting Pakistan a target of 389 runs to win.
Mohammad Abbas was Pakistan’s leading bowler, taking five wickets in England’s second innings. Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad claimed two wickets each as Pakistan finally ended England’s innings.
England resumed their second innings at 177 for seven, with Dan Lawrence unbeaten on 50 and Ollie Robinson on two. Pakistan quickly struck twice, with Mohammad Abbas dismissing Lawrence for 54 before removing Robinson for eight.
The wickets left England on 187 for nine, with only the final pair at the crease. However, Pakistan face a difficult task in keeping the hosts’ lead under control and giving themselves a realistic chance of winning the match.
Abbas has been Pakistan’s most successful bowler in England’s second innings, having already taken five wickets.
England had finished the third day on 177 for seven after rain and poor light restricted play to just 24.5 overs. Lawrence made a valuable half-century, while Harry Brook scored 34, Emilio Gay made 31, Joe Root 24 and Jordan Cox 11.
Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson both scored seven before being dismissed. Abbas took three wickets on the third day, while Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad claimed two each.
England had earlier scored 290 in their first innings, with Smith making 61, Cox 55 and Atkinson 45. Abbas took four wickets for Pakistan, Mohammad Ali claimed three, while Khurram Shahzad and Ali Usman took one each.
Pakistan were then bowled out for just 110 in 37.2 overs, giving England a first-innings advantage of 180 runs. Azan Awais was Pakistan’s leading scorer with 46, while Saud Shakeel made 16, Babar Azam eight and Mohammad Rizwan seven.
Eight Pakistan batters failed to score 10 or more runs. Shan Masood made one, Abdullah Shafique five, Ali Usman one, Khurram Shahzad one and Mohammad Abbas two. Mohammad Ali remained unbeaten on three, while Imam-ul-Haq did not bat because of injury.
For England, Ollie Robinson took four wickets, Jofra Archer claimed three and Josh Tongue took two.
England won the first Test by an innings and 103 runs after scoring 409 in their first innings and dismissing Pakistan for 171. Pakistan were then bowled out for 135 in their second innings.
England lead the three-match series 1-0, leaving Pakistan under pressure to produce a strong comeback at Lord’s and keep their hopes of drawing the series alive.