Pakistan suffered another dramatic batting collapse as England seized control of the second Test at Lord’s on Day 2. The hosts, resuming at 248/9, were bowled out for 290 in the morning before their pace attack dismantled Pakistan for just 110. England then extended their advantage in the second innings, reaching 81/3 before bad light stopped play, leaving them 261 runs ahead with three days still remaining.
The day underlined the contrasting fortunes of the two sides. England’s lower order added valuable runs before their bowlers exploited the conditions, while Pakistan once again struggled to cope with sustained pressure from the hosts’ seamers. With England in a commanding position, Pakistan face the difficult task of producing a vastly improved performance on Day 3.
England vs Pakistan, 2nd Test Day 2: Highlights | Scorecard
ENGLAND’S TAIL ADDS CRUCIAL RUNS BEFORE PACE STRIKES
England’s final-wicket pair of Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers in the opening session, adding 47 runs to give the hosts valuable momentum. Atkinson made 45 off 46 balls, including six fours, while Tongue remained unbeaten on 30.
Pakistan’s response quickly unravelled. Jofra Archer removed Shan Masood for one before Tongue dismissed Abdullah Shafique for five. Babar Azam fell for eight, while Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan also failed to provide the stability Pakistan needed.
Azan Awais was the lone exception. The opener showed considerable patience against England’s attack, making 46 from 102 balls and briefly holding the innings together. His dismissal by Ollie Robinson, however, exposed the fragility of Pakistan’s batting.
Robinson finished with outstanding figures of 13-6-11-4, while Archer claimed three wickets and Tongue took two. Pakistan were dismissed in only 37.2 overs, handing England a 180-run first-innings lead.
ENGLAND STRENGTHEN GRIP BEFORE BAD LIGHT INTERVENES
England’s second innings began with Pakistan needing early wickets to prevent the hosts from building an imposing advantage. Pakistan managed to make three breakthroughs, but England still reached 81/3 before fading light brought an early end to proceedings.
England had been in early trouble on the opening day, when Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali reduced them to 120/5. However, their recovery through the lower order was followed by a devastating spell from their pace attack, leaving Pakistan under enormous pressure.
With England holding a substantial advantage, Pakistan’s immediate challenge will be to find a way back into a Test that has increasingly slipped away from them. Their batting, which also struggled in the first Test at Headingley, once again proved unable to withstand sustained pressure from England’s seamers.
– Ends
