Pakistan enjoyed a highly productive opening session on Thursday at Lord’s, dismantling England’s top order to reach a commanding position at 80-4. The start of the second Test was delayed by long-overdue rain in the capital, which left the pitch damp and created muggy, overcast conditions. Pakistan’s Muhammad Abbas exploited the environment perfectly, spearheading a bowling attack that left the hosts struggling before the lunch interval.
Match Officials and Oversight
- TV Umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)
- Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)
- On-field Umpires: Allahuddien Paleker (RSA) and Paul Reiffel (AUS)
Abbas finished the session with impressive figures of 3-34, supported by Mohammad Ali, who claimed the final wicket before the break. The breakthrough arrived in the third over when Abbas induced an edge from Emilio Gay, with wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan completing a sharp diving catch. Abbas continued his momentum by trapping Ben Duckett lbw; although the initial appeal was turned down, Pakistan’s successful review confirmed the ball was hitting the stumps. The pacer then claimed the prized wicket of England captain Joe Root, pinning him lbw for just four runs.
Despite the collapse, Jordan Cox provided a brief counter-attack for the hosts, remaining unbeaten on 27 from 29 balls at the break. However, the session belonged to Pakistan, particularly after Mohammad Ali bowled Harry Brook with a sharp inswinger to leave England reeling at 80-4. This performance marks a significant turnaround for Pakistan, who suffered an innings and 103-run defeat in the series opener at Headingley.
Team Selection and Captaincy
- Pakistan Captain: Babar Azam returned to the side after recovering from a finger injury, replacing stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha.
- England Squad: The hosts remained unchanged from the first Test, seeking to secure their first series win since 2024.
- Off-field Distractions: England fast bowler Brydon Carse was dropped from the squad following an investigation by Derbyshire Police into allegations of assault outside a nightclub.
Babar Azam, returning to lead the side, won the toss and elected to field, citing the favorable bowling conditions and the grass coverage on the pitch. Azam expressed his relief at being fully fit, noting the honor of playing at Lord’s. England captain Joe Root admitted he would have also chosen to bowl first had he won the toss, though he noted the pitch appeared distinct from previous encounters at the venue. Root emphasized that while the Headingley victory provided a strong blueprint for his team, maintaining that standard remained the primary objective for the remainder of the series.
The match continues against a backdrop of off-field scrutiny for the England team, which has faced several disciplinary incidents in recent months. The focus remains on the field, where Pakistan aims to level the three-match series. The current England lineup features Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, and Josh Tongue. Pakistan’s playing eleven includes Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, and Muhammad Abbas. The report also notes that despite not being given out on the field, Pakistan successfully reviewed, ben Duckett was Abbas’s next victim by jagging a ball back that trapped him on his back foot and. The report also notes that we will bowl first because of the conditions,” the 31-year-old batsman said.
Important Details
- The report also notes that agence France-Presse.
