LONDON, England tightened their grip on the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s, finishing day two on 81-3 in their second innings and leading by 261 runs after bowling Pakistan out for just 110 in reply to their 290.
Bad light and a passing afternoon shower meant only 70 overs were possible, but England made every ball count as they moved decisively ahead in the ICC World Test Championship match.
England resumed on 248-9 and the last-wicket pair added 42 more. Gus Atkinson made 45 off 46 balls before Ali Usman had him caught, while Josh Tongue remained unbeaten on 30 off 48 with 4 fours. The stand of 47 took England to 290 all out in 66.4 overs, a lead of 180 on first innings.
Pakistan’s chase got off to a nightmare start. Opener Imam-ul-Haq missed the match with a calf strain suffered overnight, leaving Shan Masood and debutant Azan Awais to open.
The trouble started early. Jofra Archer and Tongue removed Shan and Abdullah Shafique before lunch with Pakistan on 16-2. Babar Azam followed in the 17th over, dismissed by Tongue.
Azan Awais fought hard for a dogged *46 off 102 balls with 7 fours, but he found no support. Only Saud Shakeel (16 off 16) reached double figures. Their 33-run stand was broken when Ollie Robinson trapped Saud lbw.
Robinson then ran through the tail, finishing with 4-11 in 13 overs including 6 maidens. Archer claimed 3 and Tongue 2 as Pakistan lost their last 5 wickets for 37 runs in 44 balls and were bowled out in 37.2 overs.
England lost Ben Duckett for 1 in the second over, caught by Babar at mid-off off Khurram Shahzad. Khurram struck again in his next over, trapping Jordan Cox lbw first ball to make it 13-2.
Joe Root and Emilio Gay steadied things with a 47-run stand for the third wicket. Mohammad Ali broke the partnership, getting Root lbw as England reached 60-3 in 16.3 overs.Harry Brook joined Gay and the pair saw out the remaining 33 balls without further loss before bad light ended play early.
Scorecard at stumps, Day 2
England 290 all out & 81-3 in 19.3 overs
Emilio Gay 30_, Harry Brook 7_
Khurram Shahzad 2-0, Mohammad Ali 1-0
Pakistan 110 all out in 37.2 overs
Azan Awais 46, Saud Shakeel 16
Ollie Robinson 4-11, Jofra Archer 3-0, Josh Tongue 2-0
With a lead of 261 and 7 wickets in hand, England are in complete control heading into day three. Pakistan need early wickets to stay alive in the match and the series.
