Chasing England’s first-innings total of 290, Pakistan’s top order folded under sustained pressure from the England seamers. Ollie Robinson was the pick of the bowlers, returning outstanding figures of 4 for 11 in 13 overs, six of them maidens, while Jofra Archer chipped in with 3 for 26. Josh Tongue picked up two more wickets as Pakistan were bowled out in just 37.2 overs.
Only two Pakistani batsmen managed to reach double figures. Opening batter Azan Awais top-scored with a fighting 46 off 102 balls before he was dismissed top-edging a pull shot, while Saud Shakeel made 16. The rest of the line-up struggled badly: captain Babar Azam, returning from a finger injury that had ruled him out of the series opener, could only manage 8, while wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan fell for 7. Shan Masood, drafted in at the top of the order after regular opener Imam-ul-Haq was ruled out with a calf strain picked up while fielding, was out for just 1.
Pakistan’s innings collapse came a day after England had themselves been in trouble, slipping to 248 for 9 in rain-interrupted conditions on the opening day. A last-wicket stand between Josh Tongue, who made an unbeaten 30 batting at number 11, and Gus Atkinson, who struck 45 off 46 balls including six boundaries, hauled England up to 290. Half-centuries from Jamie Smith (61) and Jordan Cox (55) had earlier given the innings a solid platform before the middle order wobbled.
With the ball, Pakistan’s attack had its own bright spots. Mohammad Abbas was the most economical and threatening bowler, finishing with 4 wickets, while Mohammad Ali picked up 3. But the damage inflicted by their batting collapse left the tourists staring at a mountain to climb.
The result piles further pressure on Pakistan, who arrived at Lord’s already 0-1 down in the three-match series after a heavy innings-and-103-run defeat in the series opener at Headingley. A second successive defeat would hand England an unassailable 2-0 lead with one Test to play, and confirm a first home series win over Pakistan in some years for Joe Root’s side.
Play resumes on day three with England well placed to extend their advantage and set Pakistan a testing target on a pitch that has already offered plenty for the fast bowlers. For Pakistan, the focus will be on a disciplined bowling effort to restrict England’s second innings and give their own top order a more realistic total to chase than the one they managed first time around.
The Pakistan tour of England continues to be a stern examination of the tourists’ batting depth away from home, and the coaching staff will be looking for a marked improvement in application when Pakistan bat again. For now, though, Lord’s belongs firmly to England.
