Pakistan’s seam attack proved decisive on a damp, overcast Thursday at Lord's, forcing England into a precarious 248-9 by the close of the first day of the second Test. The day began under a slate of rain that delayed the start until 12:20 pm, and the weather set the tone for a dreary English innings that stumbled to 3-36 after just 10.3 overs following Pakistan's decision to bowl first.
The backdrop to the match was a week coloured by controversy, notably the off‑field incident involving England bowler Brydon Carse. That atmosphere seemed to weigh on captain Joe Root, who was bowled by Mohammad Abbas for a meagre four runs. The dismissal was quickly followed by cheap wickets of Ben Duckett (17) and Emilio Gay (8), both also trapped by Abbas, leaving England reeling.
Abbas finished with impressive figures of 4‑56, while his fellow paceman Mohammad Ali claimed 3‑67, delivering three sharp ‘nip‑backer’ deliveries that removed Harry Brook (15), Jamie Smith (61) and Ollie Robinson for a duck. England’s scorecard reflected the early collapse: Duckett 17 off 20 balls, Gay 8 off 17, Root 4 off 13, Cox 55 off 105, Brook 14 off 26 and Smith 61 off 80. Pakistan’s bowlers also featured Khurram Sahib with 1‑79. With Babar Azam back in the side, Pakistan showed a marked improvement from their 103‑run loss at Headingley the previous week.
Nevertheless, their fielding remained a concern; Mohammad Rizwan and the slip cordon were positioned too deep, allowing several chances to slip by, particularly in the early stages of the innings. As the afternoon progressed and the clouds began to thin, England found a glimmer of resistance.
Jordan Cox produced a steady half‑century, reaching 55, while Jamie Smith also crossed the fifty‑run mark, offering some relief to a side that had struggled to find rhythm. Their partnership of 67 runs off 97 balls steadied the innings after England slumped to 80‑4 at lunch. The stand was built on solid shot selection and a series of well‑timed boundaries, especially from Cox, who struck seven fours on his way to his half‑century. The day also featured a dramatic run‑out of Dan Lawrence, who was dismissed after a bizarre mix‑up between the fielders.
The incident highlighted the pressure both sides were under and the fine margins that can decide a Test match. Shortly after, Salman Agha produced a moment of brilliance for Pakistan, diving mid‑air to take a spectacular one‑handed catch off Cox’s edge, ending the partnership and shifting momentum back to the visitors. Ali continued his spell of incisive bowling, claiming the wickets of Smith and Robinson in quick succession with two more nip‑backers, underscoring his ability to exploit the seam and swing conditions. The final wicket to fall was that of Archer, who managed a six into the Lord’s Pavilion before Abbas dismissed him, sealing England’s innings.
Beyond the immediate action, the match offered several talking points for cricket analysts. The overcast conditions at Lord’s traditionally aid swing bowling, and Pakistan’s bowlers fully capitalised on the moisture in the air and on the pitch.
Abbas’s ability to extract late swing and his persistence in appealing for lbw decisions, exemplified by the review that overturned an initial not‑out call against Duckett, demonstrated both skill and strategic acumen. England’s batting approach also evolved throughout the day.
After the early setbacks, the middle order adopted a more measured tempo, focusing on building partnerships rather than aggressive stroke‑play. Smith, in particular, reflected on his innings, noting that he had to “ride the wave a little” and adjust his usual top‑tempo start to a more controlled middle‑order approach. This adaptation appeared to pay dividends, as he managed to settle and contribute a vital fifty.
The day’s play was eventually curtailed at 6:10 pm due to poor light, with the umpires opting not to resume, leaving the match poised for a tense conclusion on Friday. Both teams will head into the final session with clear objectives: Pakistan will aim to maintain pressure with their disciplined seam attack, while England will look to consolidate their partnership foundations and chase a competitive total. Looking ahead, fans can continue to follow the action via Sky Sports’ live stream, the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, and the official Sky Sports app.
The second day’s play is scheduled to resume at 10:15 pm on Friday, offering another opportunity for both sides to shape the outcome of this closely contested Test series.