Joe Root’s second spell as England captain has begun in spectacular fashion, with his side cruising to a commanding 194‑run victory over Pakistan at Lord's, sealing the series 2‑0 with one Test still to play. The match unfolded on a pitch that heavily favored the bowlers, yet England managed to extend their lead by 32 runs on the fourth day, setting Pakistan a daunting target of 389 runs to win. Mohammad Abbas was the standout bowler for Pakistan on Sunday, ripping through England’s lower order and claiming a five‑wicket haul as the hosts were bowled out for just 208.
However, the English bowlers responded with equal ferocity. Ollie Robinson, back in his familiar territory at Lord's, struck with four wickets on the day, taking his match total to eight as he dismantled the Pakistani batting line‑up. Root praised his side’s resilience, noting, “The lads have shown great adaptability. We recovered from a precarious 80‑4 position and posted a total that gave us a solid platform.” He added that the team’s maturity and problem‑solving ability were evident, especially when the top order failed to deliver.
“It doesn’t always have to be the top order that scores the bulk of the runs. The way our tail‑enders contributed 50‑80 runs can be the difference in a Test.” The English batting effort was anchored by Dan Lawrence’s 54 off 70 balls, while Robinson chipped in an aggressive 8 off 15 and Josh Tongue added a quick 12 off 15.
In the bowling department, Robinson’s figures of 4‑14, Tongue’s 3‑46, and Archer’s 2‑73 complemented Atkinson’s 0‑41. Pakistan’s innings featured contributions from Shan Masood (26 off 72), Awais (5 off 14), Shafique (0 off 13), Babar (6 off 8), and a resilient Saud Shakeel, who scored 97 off 122 balls, striking 13 fours and two sixes before being caught at deep point by Harry Brook. Shakeel’s near‑century was a highlight for the visitors, but his aggressive slog backfired when he edged a delivery from Tongue, offering Brook a simple catch. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 194, with Robinson earning the Player of the Match award after dismissing Azan Awais, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, and again Shafique in quick succession.
Jofra Archer also impressed, returning figures of 2‑73, while Tongue claimed three wickets for 46. Robinson’s performance was historic.
After taking seven wickets in England’s loss to New Zealand at Lord’s in June, he surpassed that tally on Sunday, finishing with match figures of 8‑35 from 27 overs. This made him the first bowler to claim the Player of the Match award in each of his first three Test starts this summer. Even as clouds gathered over the Home of Cricket, Robinson extracted ample movement, removing both Awais and Shafique in a single over. Root lauded the bowling unit, saying, “The way we’ve operated with the ball has been excellent.
We have great contrast and variety in our attack. Ollie has been outstanding, and he’s well supported by three other 90‑mph bowlers who ask different questions.” Archer’s early burst was particularly damaging; his brutal bouncer to Babar forced a wild edge that was taken by Jordan Cox at third slip, leaving Pakistan reeling at 3‑14.
After a brief rain‑induced pause, Shan Masood (26) and Saud Shakeel forged a steady fourth‑wicket partnership of 97 runs off 139 balls, showcasing a blend of defensive technique and aggressive stroke‑play. As Pakistan approached the ominous “Nelson” score of 111, Robinson appealed for a leg‑before‑wicket, which was initially turned down.
However, a Hawk‑Eye review confirmed the dismissal, marking the third successful umpire challenge for England off a Robinson delivery. Robinson continued his on‑fire spell, trapping Rizwan lbw three overs later, while Archer dismissed Ali Usman. The final two wickets fell to Tongue, who bowled Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali, sealing England’s victory. Imam‑ul‑Haq did not bat due to a calf injury.
Earlier in the match, after a solid half‑century from Dan Lawrence on day three, both he and Robinson were dismissed quickly by Abbas’s five‑wicket haul. Abbas also removed Emilio Gay, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith on day three, and returned on day four to claim Lawrence’s wicket with a sharp back‑of‑the‑hand delivery after Lawrence had reached his second fifty of the series. Abbas’s emotional celebration after his fifth wicket highlighted the intensity of the contest. Pakistan’s fielding came under scrutiny throughout the series, yet captain Babar Azam demonstrated leadership with a spectacular direct hit from the covers to dismiss Josh Tongue.
Looking ahead, England will host Pakistan for the final Test, scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 10, at 10:15 am on Sky Sports Cricket. Fans without a Sky subscription can explore streaming deals or watch via the Sky Sports app. The series has underscored England’s depth in both batting and bowling, with the lower order proving capable of adding valuable runs and the pace attack delivering relentless pressure. With the series already clinched, the upcoming match offers both teams a chance to fine‑tune strategies and give emerging players a platform on the world’s most iconic cricket ground.