Nasser Hussain was visibly furious when the umpires decided to call off play late on the third day of the second Test between England and Pakistan, branding the decision "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 start of the session to 177 for 7, carving out a 357‑run lead and moving closer to sealing a series victory. As the evening progressed, the clouds cleared and a bright sun began to shine, sparking hopes among spectators that more cricket might be salvaged. However, the officials officially terminated the day at about 6.30 p.m.
local time, prompting a chorus of boos from the crowd. Had the players been able to return to the field before 7 p.m., the match could have been extended until 7.30 p.m., allowing a few more overs to be bowled. When the news of the abandonment reached the Sky Sports commentary box, Hussain erupted: "That's a joke, honestly a joke. It’s an unbelievable decision, it really is.
These fans have been waiting all afternoon for the rain to stop. Now the sky is clear, it’s bright, and in a few minutes it will be sunny." Just moments earlier, Hussain had expressed his bewilderment at the lack of urgency to get the game underway, stating, "I have no idea what's going on and I don’t think the fans do either.
It’s been the brightest it’s been in about eight hours. It’s not raining – take the covers off and start playing. This is the best condition we’ve had and nobody is doing anything." In the brief spell of cricket that did take place, England’s Dan Lawrence provided a highlight.
The middle‑order batsman reached a sixth Test half‑century, finishing unbeaten on 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 chose a counter‑attacking approach while Pakistan’s bowlers extracted generous movement from the surface, which also produced uneven bounce. His teammate Emilio Gay fell victim to a low, unplayable delivery from Mohammad Abbad, being dismissed lbw.
Hussain praised Lawrence’s effort: "He got his tempo right. This isn’t a surface to sit on; there’s a ball out there with your name on it – as Gay discovered – so you have to score and put the bowlers under pressure." Fellow pundit Stuart Broad added, "Lawrence fought hard and played some eye‑catching shots.
He took his time to settle in, read the pitch, and then used his feet to disrupt the bowlers’ line and length." Lawrence’s inclusion in the England side came as a replacement for the retired Ben Stokes. He earned his recall after an impressive County Championship campaign for Surrey, where he averaged 65.66 and notched five centuries. The fifty at Lord’s followed a half‑century he scored in the series opener at Headingley, reinforcing his growing reputation as a reliable middle‑order option. In addition to his batting, Lawrence has emerged as England’s leading spin‑bowling choice for the remainder of the series, complementing a pace‑heavy attack featuring Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson.
Speaking about his role, the 29‑year‑old said, "I’m just trying to contribute in every Test I can and put in a good show for myself. Thankfully, I think I’ve done that so far. I’m desperate, along with all the other lads, to cement a place in an England shirt – something I haven’t fully achieved yet in my career. It’s about taking every opportunity, enjoying the moment and not getting nervous.
Have fun and play the cricket that got me here this summer." The abrupt end to day three left fans disappointed, but the series still offers plenty of cricket to look forward to. Day four of the second Test is scheduled to begin at 10.15 a.m. (11 a.m. first ball) on Sunday, with live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket.
Those without a Sky subscription can explore the latest Sky Sports deals or stream the match without a contract. All matches continue to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, ensuring supporters can follow England’s pursuit of a series win against Pakistan.