Mohammad Abbas took three wickets, including the key dismissal of Joe Root, as Pakistan reduced England to 80-4 at lunch on the first day of the second Test at Lord’s.
Veteran seamer Abbas produced a superb spell of three wickets for four runs in 16 balls. His burst helped Pakistan reduce England to 36-3. Captain Joe Root fell for just four runs.
Abbas had figures of 3-34 from eight overs at lunch. England struggled to build partnerships as Pakistan’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the session.
The pressure came as England faced renewed scrutiny over off-field discipline. Fast bowler Brydon Carse appeared in handcuffs outside a nightclub over the weekend. England later dropped him from the Test squad.
Pakistan endured a poor performance in the first Test at Headingley. England won that match by an innings and 103 runs.
However, Pakistan received better conditions at Lord’s after winning the toss. Captain Babar Azam returned to the side after missing the opening Test with a finger injury.
Babar won the toss and chose to bowl first. The green-tinged pitch and cloudy conditions offered plenty of assistance to Pakistan’s seamers.
England made no changes to their team. The hosts lead the three-match series 1-0 after recording only their third Test win in 11 matches.
A victory at Lord’s would give England their first Test series win since beating New Zealand in 2024.
Abbas Strikes Early
The 36-year-old Abbas knows English conditions well after playing for several county teams. He also enjoyed success at Lord’s during Pakistan’s previous Test there.
Abbas took eight wickets in Pakistan’s nine-wicket victory at the venue in 2018. He soon found his rhythm again on Thursday.
Rain delayed the start by more than an hour. Abbas then opened Pakistan’s account with a wicket.
Emilio Gay edged a poor leg-side delivery. Mohammad Rizwan reacted quickly and completed an excellent one-handed catch.
Abbas then removed Ben Duckett for 17. The left-handed opener missed an Abbas delivery that moved back into him. Pakistan successfully reviewed the lbw decision.
Root Falls for Four
Joe Root survived an early scare when Mohammad Ali dropped him in the slips. The missed chance highlighted Pakistan’s recent fielding problems.
Pakistan’s poor fielding contributed to their heavy defeat in Leeds. The result also pushed them to the bottom of the World Test Championship table.
Rizwan stood close to the stumps as Abbas continued to trouble England’s batters. The tactic soon produced another major wicket.
Abbas trapped Root lbw for four runs. Root did not review the decision because the ball appeared clearly destined to hit the stumps.
Jordan Cox and Harry Brook then tried to steady England’s innings. The pair slowed Pakistan’s progress for a short period.
Pakistan, however, struck again before lunch. Mohammad Ali produced a superb delivery that jagged back sharply.
The ball beat Brook’s defence and crashed into the stumps. Brook departed for 15, leaving England at 80-4 at lunch.
Pakistan Playing XI
Pakistan’s lineup features Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Abbas.
England Playing XI
England’s team consists of Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (capt), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (wkt), Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.
