Pakistan’s seam attack shone brightly under the grey skies of Lord's on the opening day of the second Test, leaving England reeling at 248 for 9. The day began with a soaking rain shower that delayed the start until 12:20 pm on Thursday, and the damp conditions quickly turned the pitch into a bowler’s paradise. After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bowl, and within the first ten overs England slumped to three wickets for just 36 runs.
Mohammad Abbas was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets for 56 runs, while his partner Mohammad Ali added three for 67. Their disciplined lines and lengths, combined with the movement offered by the overcast air, produced a series of sharp dismissals that dismantled the English top order.
Abbas first removed Ben Duckett, who had managed 17 runs from 20 balls, followed by the quick dismissal of Emilio Gay for eight. The England captain, Joe Root, fell shortly after, edging a delivery that was caught and reviewed before being given out lbw for a mere four runs.
The early blows continued as Abbas trapped Harry Brook for 15 and later sent Jamie Smith, who had been battling for a half‑century, back to the pavilion with a clean bowled. Ollie Robinson also fell without scoring, completing a devastating spell for the Pakistan pacemen.
England’s innings, however, was not without resistance. After the top‑order collapse, Jordan Cox steadied the ship, reaching a composed 55 off 105 balls. His half‑century came in partnership with Dan Lawrence, who contributed valuable runs before a bizarre run‑out ended his stay. The pair added 43 runs for the sixth wicket, providing a brief respite from the relentless Pakistani attack.
Later, Jamie Smith, the wicket‑keeper‑batsman, found his rhythm and nudged his way to a gritty 61, showcasing a mixture of defensive technique and aggressive stroke‑play. His innings was highlighted by a quote to Sky Sports in which he explained his approach: "I was trying to ride the wave a little bit. It isn’t the most free‑scoring at times here – you can feel a bit out of rhythm but then catch up. I felt I scratched around at the start, but once I found the middle of the bat, it was slightly different to how I usually play, which is almost at top tempo to start with.
That seemed to help today." The Pakistani side, with captain Babar Azam back in the lineup, displayed a markedly improved performance compared to their 103‑run loss at Headingley a week earlier. Nonetheless, their fielding remained a concern. Mohammad Rizwan and the slip cordon were positioned unusually deep, resulting in several catching opportunities being missed. Despite this, the bowlers compensated with incisive spell work.
Abbas’s dismissal of Duckett was particularly dramatic: after an initial lbw call was overturned, a review confirmed the decision, proving Abbas’s conviction correct. The day’s play was halted at 6:10 pm due to poor light, and the umpires elected not to resume, leaving the match unfinished.
Pakistan’s bowlers, especially Abbas, who had taken only a single wicket at Headingley, were in prolific form, delivering what many observers called the “delivery of the day” when he bowled Ali a sharp back‑of‑the‑hand that clipped the off‑stump, sending Brook back to the pavilion. As the afternoon progressed, England’s lower order attempted to add some runs.
Gus Atkinson, who had not batted, was set to return the next morning, while Josh Tongue also awaited his turn. The final wicket fell when Archer, the last English batsman, struck a six into the Lord's Pavilion before Abbas removed his bails, sealing the day’s score.
Overall, the first day was a testament to Pakistan’s bowling depth and England’s vulnerability in swinging conditions. The overcast weather, combined with the strategic decision to bowl first, allowed Abbas and Ali to exploit seam movement and generate pressure through tight lines and well‑timed deliveries. England’s batting, though showing moments of resilience through Cox, Smith, and a brief partnership, ultimately could not withstand the sustained assault. Looking ahead, the match will resume on Friday with England hoping to rebuild their innings and Pakistan aiming to maintain the momentum built by their bowlers.
Fans can catch the live action on Sky Sports Cricket, and the full scorecards for the day are available on the Sky Sports website. The narrative of this Test continues to unfold, promising further drama as both sides adjust tactics under the ever‑changing English weather.