Pakistan’s seam attack stole the show on a damp, overcast afternoon at Lord's, leaving England reeling and bowled out for 248-9 on the first day of the second Test. The rain had delayed the start until 12:20 p.m., and the weather set the tone for a bleak English innings.
After winning the toss, Pakistan chose to bowl, and their decision paid off immediately as England slumped to 3-36 after just 10.3 overs. The day began under a heavy sky, and the conditions suited the Pakistani bowlers perfectly. Mohammad Abbas was the standout, ripping through the English top order with incisive swing and seam movement.
He dismissed the visiting captain Joe Root for a meagre four runs, and then turned his attention to the lower middle order, removing Ben Duckett (17) and Emilio Gay (8) with the same ruthless efficiency. Abbas finished with figures of 4‑56, his best spell featuring three sharp, back‑handed catches that rattled the English side. Supporting Abbas, Mohammad Ali also made a strong impact, claiming three wickets for 67 runs.
His most memorable moment came when he trapped Harry Brook, who had initially struck a four through square leg on his first ball, with a delivery that ricocheted off the off‑stump – a dismissal many commentators called the delivery of the day. Ali then turned his attention to Jamie Smith and Ollie Robinson, dismissing both with quick, low‑bounce deliveries that left the batsmen with little chance to recover. England’s innings was a tale of two halves.
After the early collapse, a glimmer of hope arrived in the form of Jordan Cox, who steadied the ship with a patient 55 off 105 balls. His half‑century was built on a mixture of solid defense and well‑timed boundaries, and it helped lift the team from a precarious 80‑4 at the lunch break. Cox’s partnership with Dan Lawrence added 43 runs before a bizarre run‑out ended Lawrence’s stay.
The pair’s stand, though brief, provided the much‑needed stability that allowed the innings to inch forward. Meanwhile, Jamie Smith, the wicket‑keeper‑batsman who had endured a lean spell, finally found his rhythm.
After a quiet start, he described his approach to Sky Sports, saying he tried to "ride the wave" and adjust his tempo, moving from a tentative opening to a more aggressive middle‑order assault. His fifty, built on 61 runs from 80 balls, was a blend of timing and resilience, and it demonstrated his ability to adapt when the conditions demanded a different mindset. The Pakistani fielding, however, left something to be desired. Mohammad Rizwan and his slip cordon were positioned too deep, resulting in several dropped chances that could have further crippled England’s comeback.
Despite these lapses, Pakistan’s bowlers continued to apply pressure, with Abbas and Ali delivering a series of back‑handed catches that kept the English batsmen on edge. As the evening approached, play was halted at 6:10 p.m. due to bad light, and the umpires decided not to resume, leaving the day’s action unfinished. The postponement gave England a brief respite to regroup before the final session on Friday.
The team’s lower order, featuring Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue, remained unused at that point, but they were slated to return to the crease after the break. A deeper look at Abbas’s spell reveals his mastery of the new ball. After an early edge from Duckett was caught in the slips, Abbas appealed for an lbw that was initially turned down.
A review confirmed the decision, showcasing his confidence and the effectiveness of his line just outside off‑stump. His ability to extract movement from the seam, combined with the moist pitch, made him a constant threat throughout the day. Root’s dismissal was a textbook example of a bowler exploiting a batsman’s indecision. After edging a delivery to third slip, the ball was nearly taken, but a quick reflex from the fielder saved the chance.
In the following over, Abbas delivered a ball that struck the leg stump, and Root, unable to get his bat in the way, was out lbw – a dismissal that underscored England’s vulnerability against disciplined swing bowling. The partnership between Cox and Smith, which added 67 runs off 97 balls, stood out as a moment of brilliance amid the gloom. Their collaboration featured a blend of aggressive stroke‑play and careful rotation of the strike, allowing England to post a respectable total despite the early setbacks. However, the partnership was eventually broken by a spectacular one‑handed catch from Pakistan’s all‑rounder Salman Agha, who dove mid‑air to claim a crucial edge off Cox’s bat.
In the final overs, Ali continued his wicket‑taking spree, removing both Smith and Ollie Robinson with two consecutive nip‑backers that left the English batting line‑up scrambling for stability. Archer, the last English batsman to fall to Abbas, managed a six that sailed into the Lord’s Pavilion before being dismissed, completing the day’s drama.
Looking ahead, England will need to regroup and find a way to counter the disciplined Pakistani seam attack. The conditions at Lord’s are likely to remain challenging, and the visitors will aim to maintain the pressure they have built. For Pakistan, the focus will be on tightening their fielding standards and capitalising on the momentum generated by Abbas and Ali’s performances.
Fans can continue to follow the action via Sky Sports Cricket, which will broadcast day two live from 10:15 p.m. on Friday.
Those without a Sky subscription can explore the latest streaming deals or consider the Sky Sports app for on‑the‑go access. The contest promises more intrigue as both sides vie for dominance in what has already become a compelling Test series.