Josh Tongue Frustrates Pakistan as England Reach 290 at Lord’s
England No. 11 Josh Tongue frustrated Pakistan with a Test-best 30 not out as the hosts reached 290 in their first innings. England’s innings ended on the second day of the second Test at Lord’s on Friday.
Gus Atkinson was the last man out after scoring a quick 45. He added 47 runs for the tenth wicket with fellow fast bowler Tongue.
Atkinson, who has previously scored a Test century at Lord’s, struck six fours during his 46-ball innings.
Mohammad Abbas led Pakistan’s bowling attack with figures of 4-73 from 20 overs.
England Recovered From Early Trouble
England had struggled at 36-3 on Thursday after Pakistan won the toss.
Veteran seamer Abbas triggered the collapse with a superb spell. He took three wickets for just four runs in 16 balls.
However, Jamie Smith and Jordan Cox helped England recover. Smith scored 61, while Cox made 55.
Their half-centuries helped England reach 248-9 before bad light ended play on Thursday.
Tongue and Atkinson Add Valuable Runs
England resumed play on Friday under sunny skies.
Atkinson started the day unbeaten on 34. Tongue was not out on one.
Tongue then showed impressive batting ability for a No. 11. He glanced Mohammad Ali to fine leg for four and later drove Abbas through the covers for another boundary.
Pakistan introduced left-arm spinner Ali Usman to break the partnership.
Atkinson drove Usman’s third delivery through long-on for four. However, he found the fielder off the next ball and departed for 45.
Tongue remained unbeaten on 30 from 48 balls. His innings included four boundaries.
The score surpassed his previous highest Test score of 19. He had achieved that score against Australia at Lord’s three years ago.
Pakistan Make Changes at the Top
Tongue’s runs proved especially valuable after Pakistan’s batting struggles in the first Test.
Pakistan scored only 171 and 135 at Headingley last week. England won that match by an innings and 103 runs.
Pakistan received a boost at Lord’s with captain Babar Azam returning from a finger injury.
However, opener Imam-ul-Haq remained off the field on Friday. He suffered a left calf muscle strain while fielding on Thursday.
Shan Masood opened Pakistan’s innings in Imam’s place. He partnered Azan Awais at the top of the order.
