Pakistan’s seam attack proved decisive on a damp, overcast morning at Lord’s, leaving England reeling to 248 for 9 on the first day of the second Test. The day began with a heavy downpour that delayed the start until 12:20 pm on Thursday, and the weather mirrored the English innings – sluggish and unforgiving.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl, Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali ripped through the top order, exploiting the swing‑friendly conditions. England’s opening partnership collapsed quickly, slipping to 3 for 36 after just 10.3 overs.
The first wicket fell when Abbas trapped Ben Duckett lbw for 17, a dismissal that was initially called not out but was overturned after a review confirmed the ball had struck the stumps. The bowler’s confidence grew, and he soon removed the young prospect Emilio Gay for a meagre eight, again using a sharp edge that slipped to the wicket‑keeper’s gloves. The most notable scalp came when Abbas dismissed captain Joe Root for only four runs, sending the English leader back to the pavilion in disappointment. Abbas finished with impressive figures of 4 for 56, while his partner Ali contributed 3 for 67, including three spectacular “nip‑back” dismissals that saw Harry Brook caught behind for 15, Jamie Smith bowled for 61, and Ollie Robinson out for a duck.
The English side managed a few resistance efforts: Jordan Cox compiled a patient 55 off 105 balls, and Smith, after a lean spell, finally reached a half‑century, adding some much‑needed stability. Pakistan’s fielding, however, displayed some frailties.
Mohammad Rizwan and the slip cordon were positioned too deep, allowing several catches to fall short of the wicket. Despite these lapses, the bowlers’ dominance compensated for the missed chances, and Pakistan’s overall performance marked a clear improvement over their 103‑run loss at Headingley the previous week, especially with captain Babar Azam back in the lineup. The day’s play was halted at 6:10 pm due to bad light, and the umpires elected not to resume, leaving England with a precarious 80 for 4 at the lunch interval.
A crucial partnership emerged between Cox and Dan Lawrence, who added 43 runs before Lawrence was run out in a confusing mix‑up. Cox’s half‑century was built on seven boundaries and solid defence, while Smith’s partnership with Cox yielded a 67‑run stand off 97 deliveries, briefly reviving England’s hopes. The partnership was broken when Pakistan’s all‑rounder Salman Agha produced a spectacular one‑handed catch, diving to claim a lofted edge off Cox.
Shortly after, Ali claimed the wickets of Smith and Robinson with two swift, back‑handed catches, further tilting the momentum in Pakistan’s favour. The final English wicket fell when Abbas dismissed Archer, who managed a six into the Lord’s Pavilion before being bowled out. Throughout the day, the English batsmen expressed frustration with the conditions. Smith told Sky Sports that he was “trying to ride the wave a little bit,” acknowledging that the scoring rate felt restrained and that he had to adjust his usual aggressive approach.
He noted that once he found the sweet spot on the bat, his rhythm improved, allowing him to contribute more effectively. Pakistan’s bowlers capitalised on the moist pitch, generating seam movement and swing that troubled the English top order. Abbas, in particular, displayed a lethal combination of accuracy and persistence, repeatedly targeting the stumps and forcing errors from the opposition. His ability to convince the third umpire on the lbw review against Duckett highlighted his keen eye and determination.
The match also featured notable contributions from England’s lower order. Gus Atkinson, who did not bat, and Josh Tongue, who scored a single, were set to return on Friday morning after the suspension. Their presence adds depth to England’s bowling attack, which will be crucial as the series progresses. Looking ahead, the second Test remains finely balanced.
England will need to rebuild their innings, relying on the resilience of players like Cox, Smith, and the emerging talent of Lawrence, while tightening their fielding positions to avoid giving away easy catches. Pakistan, buoyed by the success of Abbas and Ali, will aim to maintain pressure with their disciplined seam attack and improve their catching standards. Fans can continue to follow the action via Sky Sports Cricket, with live streaming available on the NOW platform, and the Sky Sports app offering comprehensive coverage, scorecards, and podcasts for deeper analysis. The next day’s play is scheduled to commence at 10:15 pm on Friday, promising further drama at the historic Lord’s venue.