Nasser Hussain was visibly incensed when the umpires decided to call off play late on the third day of the second Test between England and Pakistan, branding the move "a joke". The day had yielded just 24.5 overs because of rain and fading light, yet England managed to improve their position from 81 for 3 at the close of the previous evening to 177 for 7, establishing a commanding lead of 357 runs as they aim to seal a series victory. Initially, there appeared to be a glimmer of hope for additional cricket when the clouds cleared and the sun broke through in the early evening.
However, the officials formally terminated the session just after 6:30 p.m. local time, prompting a chorus of boos from the crowd.
According to the regulations, if the players had returned to the field before 7:00 p.m., the match could have been extended until 7:30 p.m., potentially allowing a few more overs to be bowled. When Hussain learned of the abandonment, he expressed his disbelief on Sky Sports, stating, "That's a joke, honestly a joke.
It's an unbelievable decision, it really is." He highlighted the frustration of supporters who had endured a rainy afternoon only to see the weather clear and the sky turn bright blue. "Fans have been waiting all afternoon for the rain to stop. Now the sun is out, it’s going to be sunny in a few minutes," he added.
Earlier, observing the lack of urgency from the officials, Hussain remarked, "I have no idea what's going on and I don't think the fans do either." He emphasized that the conditions were the best they had seen all day, urging the ground staff to remove the covers and resume play. "It's been the brightest it’s been for about eight hours. It's not raining – get the covers off and start playing.
This is the best cricket we could have had and nobody is doing anything," he complained. Despite the truncated session, England’s Dan Lawrence managed to make a significant contribution, reaching a half‑century with an unbeaten 50 off 66 balls. His innings featured a spectacular six over extra‑cover that Sky Sports analyst Dinesh Karthik hailed as "the shot of the series". Lawrence adopted a counter‑attacking approach while Pakistan’s bowlers exploited the seam and the pitch’s uneven bounce.
His teammate Emilio Gay fell victim to a low, unplayable delivery from Mohammad Abbad, being dismissed lbw. Hussain praised Lawrence’s approach, noting, "He got his tempo right. This isn’t a surface to sit on; there’s a ball with your name on it – as Gay discovered – so you have to score and put the bowlers under pressure." Fellow pundit Stuart Broad echoed the sentiment, saying, "Lawrence fought hard and played some eye‑catching shots as well. He took his time to settle, got used to the pitch and then used his feet to disrupt the bowlers' line and length." Lawrence’s selection came as a replacement for the retired Ben Stokes.
He earned his place after a prolific county season with Surrey, where he averaged 65.66 and notched five centuries. His 50 at Lord’s followed a similar half‑century in the series‑opening Test at Headingley, cementing his role as a reliable middle‑order batsman.
In addition to his batting, Lawrence currently serves as England’s primary spin option, complementing a pace‑heavy attack that includes Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson. Speaking about his ambitions, the 29‑year‑old said, "I’m just trying to contribute in every Test I can and give a good showing of myself. Thankfully, so far I think I have done that.
I’m desperate, along with all the other boys, to establish myself in an England shirt, something I haven’t fully achieved yet in my career. It’s about taking every opportunity and really enjoying the occasion instead of feeling nervous. Have fun and play the cricket that got me here this summer." The abandonment of day three left the series balance in England’s favour, but the team will need to capitalize on the momentum when play resumes on day four.
Fans can watch the continuation of the second Test live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, with the first ball scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Those without a Sky subscription can explore the latest Sky Sports deals or opt for a no‑contract streaming option to follow the action.
Overall, the episode underscores the tension that can arise when weather, daylight and administrative decisions intersect in Test cricket. While the umpires acted within the rules, the frustration expressed by Hussain and the crowd highlights the desire for every possible over to be played, especially when conditions finally cooperate after a period of rain. The hope now is that day four will provide a fuller display of cricket, allowing both teams to contest the remainder of the match under the bright, blue skies that were so eagerly awaited on day three.