Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer ripped through Pakistan's batting line‑up, helping England build a commanding 261‑run lead on the second day of the second Test at Lord's. The English side displayed dominance with both ball and bat, kicking off the day with lower‑order batsmen Josh Tongue (30 not out) and Gus Atkinson (45) at the crease, setting a solid platform after a modest first‑innings total.
The innings began with the tail‑enders contributing crucial runs, pushing England’s first‑innings tally to 290 thanks to a steady 47‑run partnership. Once the hosts’ bowlers returned to the field, they unleashed a ferocious spell that bundled Pakistan out for just 110 runs in 37.2 overs. England’s four‑man pace attack – Robinson, Archer, Tongue and Atkinson – ran rampant, delivering an unrelenting hour of fast bowling before the lunch break.
Although they missed a few wickets, the pressure they applied forced Pakistan into a precarious 16‑2 position at the pavilion. Robinson, who had previously taken seven wickets at Lord’s against New Zealand in June, was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 4‑11. Archer, renowned for his raw pace, claimed three wickets for 26 runs, while Tongue also made his mark, dismissing both Abdullah Shafique (5) and Pakistan captain Babar Azam (8) around the lunch interval. Azan Awais proved the most resilient for the visitors, top‑scoring with 46 runs off 102 balls before being caught at mid‑on by Emilio Gay off a Robinson bouncer.
After tea, England’s batting faltered briefly as Ben Duckett (1), Jordan Cox (11) and Joe Root (24) fell within 17 overs, leaving the hosts at 81‑3 at stumps. Play was halted at 6.50 pm due to fading light, with Gay (30 not out) and Harry Brook (7 not out) slated to resume on Saturday morning. On Friday morning Pakistan struggled to make any inroads against Tongue and Atkinson, a lapse that proved costly. Atkinson, taking the strike, hammered Ali Usman for a four, only to be caught on the following ball.
Tongue’s batting was aggressive, sweeping four boundaries and exploiting a gap between third slip and gully, which raised questions about Pakistan’s field placement. England’s bowlers had been expected to exploit the Lord’s conditions, but they exceeded expectations, delivering a relentless hour‑long spell before lunch. It took four overs for the first wicket, with Archer’s searing delivery edging Shan Masood (1) to Smith. Smith, who had topped the scoring for England the previous day with 61, was soon back in action as Tongue sent a sharp ball to Shafique, who also edged behind, leaving Pakistan 2‑16 after 14.1 overs.
The intensity continued after the break. Tongue claimed the vital wicket of captain Babar Azam, while Robinson again worked his magic, dismissing Saud Shakeel (16) lbw after a review. Robinson also saw through a second review, trapping Mohammad Rizwan (7) lbw following a brief rain interruption.
As clouds gathered over the historic ground, Robinson and Archer each added two more wickets. Archer dismissed Ali Usman (1) and later sent Mohammad Abbas (2) back to the pavilion, while Brook edged a slip catch off Robinson to remove Khurram Shazad (1). Imam‑ul‑Haq could not bat due to a calf injury, further weakening Pakistan’s reply. England’s second innings got off to a shaky start.
Duckett mis‑hit a drive, offering a simple catch to Babar at mid‑off, and Cox was soon out lbw to a Pakistani bowler. The loss of captain Joe Root for 24 added to England’s woes; a delivery reminiscent of the one that had dismissed Brook on Thursday clipped his front pad, resulting in an lbw decision. Despite the setbacks, England retained a massive lead, applying pressure on the lower order. Brook overturned an lbw call after a review on his very first ball, while Gay displayed composure, battling the spin of Abbas and the pace of Ali to reach 30 runs off 69 balls, including six fours, before play was again suspended due to insufficient light.
Looking ahead, day three promises further action as England seeks to cement their dominance and aim for an innings victory. Fans can tune in to Sky Sports Cricket from 10.15 am on Saturday to watch the continuation of this enthralling contest. For those without a Sky subscription, various streaming deals and no‑contract options are available, ensuring that the drama at the Home of Cricket remains accessible to a global audience. Overall, the second Test has highlighted England’s potent combination of pace bowling firepower and resilient batting depth.
Robinson and Archer have cemented their status as match‑winning bowlers, while the lower order has shown the ability to add valuable runs when needed. Pakistan, on the other hand, will need to regroup, adjust their field placements, and find a way to counter the relentless English attack if they hope to stay competitive in the series.