Pakistan vs England 2nd Test Day 2: England Take Control at Lord's
England took a commanding position in the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's on Day 2 after turning a precarious overnight position into a 180-run first-innings lead.
England resumed on 248 for 9 and reached 290 before dismissing Pakistan for just 110. The hosts then began their second innings and closed the day on 81 for 3, leaving Pakistan with a huge deficit to overcome.
England Extend Their Total to 290
England began Day 2 with Gus Atkinson unbeaten on 34 and Josh Tongue on one, with the hosts holding nine wickets down at 248.
The final-wicket pair frustrated Pakistan for a while, adding 47 runs before Atkinson was dismissed for 45. Tongue remained unbeaten on 30 as England eventually reached 290 all out.
Gus Atkinson scored 45 while Josh Tongue finished unbeaten on 30 as England added 42 runs to their overnight score.
Pakistan Collapse for 110
Pakistan's response quickly turned into another major batting collapse. The visitors lost wickets regularly against England's pace attack and were bowled out for 110 in 37.2 overs.
Azan Awais was Pakistan's leading scorer with 46, but there was little support around him. Saud Shakeel was the only other Pakistan batter to reach double figures, scoring 16.
England 290
Pakistan 110
First-innings lead: 181 runs
Robinson and Archer Destroy Pakistan's Top Order
Ollie Robinson produced the outstanding bowling performance of Pakistan's innings, finishing with remarkable figures of 4 for 11 from 13 overs.
Jofra Archer also caused major problems with his pace, taking 3 for 26. Josh Tongue added two wickets as England's fast bowlers kept Pakistan under sustained pressure.
Pakistan 1st Innings: 110 All Out
| Batter | Runs | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Azan Awais | 46 | c & b Robinson |
| Saud Shakeel | 16 | lbw b Robinson |
| Babar Azam | 3 | c Cox b Tongue |
| Shan Masood | 1 | c Smith b Archer |
| Abdullah Shafique | 8 | c Smith b Tongue |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 9 | lbw b Robinson |
Babar Azam's Return Ends Without a Big Score
Babar Azam's return to the Pakistan side was one of the major stories heading into the Lord's Test. The former captain returned to the XI and resumed the Pakistan captaincy after missing the opening Test because of a finger injury.
However, Babar could not provide the innings Pakistan needed. He made just three before edging Josh Tongue to Jordan Cox at third slip.
His return remains an important part of the wider Test story, but England's fast bowlers again exposed Pakistan's top order under pressure.
England Reach 81/3 in Their Second Innings
With a 180-run first-innings advantage, England returned to bat and immediately looked to extend their lead.
Pakistan managed three breakthroughs, including the wicket of England captain Joe Root for 24, but England still finished the day strongly at 81 for 3.
Emilio Gay remained unbeaten on 30, with Harry Brook unbeaten on 6 at the close. England therefore carried a 261-run overall lead into Day 3.
England: 81/3 in the second innings
Overall lead: 261 runs
Pakistan still face a major uphill task at Lord's.
Pakistan vs England 2nd Test Day 2 Key Moments
- England resumed on 248/9 and extended their total to 290.
- Gus Atkinson scored 45 before the final England wicket fell.
- Josh Tongue remained unbeaten on 30 after a valuable last-wicket partnership.
- Pakistan were bowled out for only 110 in 37.2 overs.
- Azan Awais top-scored for Pakistan with 46.
- Ollie Robinson took 4/11 and Jofra Archer claimed 3/26.
- Babar Azam scored three on his return to the Pakistan side.
- England finished the day on 81/3 in their second innings.
- England's overall lead reached 261 runs at stumps.
Day 2 Takeaway
Pakistan's strong bowling effort on Day 1 gave them an opportunity to control the Test, but England's lower order added crucial runs before their bowlers dismantled Pakistan's batting.
The 180-run first-innings lead changed the balance of the match. By the close, England had stretched that advantage to 261 runs and were firmly in control of the second Test.
What to Expect on Day 3
England will look to build a lead large enough to put Pakistan under maximum pressure in the fourth innings. Pakistan's immediate challenge will be to take the remaining England wickets as quickly as possible.
With England already 261 runs ahead, Pakistan need a major turnaround with the ball and then a substantially stronger batting performance if they are to stay alive in the Test.
England Lead the Series 1-0
England entered the Lord's Test with a 1-0 lead after winning the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs.
A victory at Lord's would give England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, while Pakistan need to fight back strongly over the remaining days to keep the contest alive.