England's pursuit of a series-clinching victory over Pakistan in the second Test at Lord’s was disrupted by rain on Saturday, with no play occurring before lunch on the third day. The match resumed in the afternoon, with England advancing from 81 for three to 177 for seven amid challenging batting conditions. The hosts currently hold a lead of 357 runs, placing them in a strong position to secure a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
England had earlier dismissed Pakistan for a low total of 110 runs in their second innings on Friday, thanks largely to seamer Ollie Robinson’s impressive spell of 4 wickets for 11 runs in 13 overs. Robinson’s performance was complemented by fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue, who took three and two wickets respectively. Tongue, who also contributed a Test-best 30 not out batting at number 11, supported Archer effectively in restricting the Pakistani batting lineup.
Pakistan struggled to build partnerships, with only opener Azan Awais managing a notable 46 runs. The Pakistani innings was further weakened by the absence of key opener Imam-ul-Haq, who was sidelined with a calf injury sustained during fielding earlier in the series. His replacement, Shan Masood, was dismissed early after edging a delivery from Archer to the wicket-keeper. The tourists lost wickets regularly, including captain Babar Azam, who returned after missing the first Test due to a finger injury but was dismissed cheaply in this innings.
On the England side, opener Emilio Gay resumed his innings on Saturday but was dismissed lbw to a ball that unexpectedly shot through at shin height. Gay’s form has been under scrutiny throughout the summer, entering the match with a modest average of 23.44 in nine innings. His dismissal renewed concerns over both his place in the squad and the state of the Lord’s pitch, which the International Cricket Council had previously rated as unsatisfactory earlier in the season. The surface has posed difficulties for batsmen across the match, with the highest individual score so far being 61 by England’s Jamie Smith in the first innings.
Despite the difficulties faced, England has continued to apply pressure on Pakistan, who have yet to surpass 200 runs in any innings during the tour. Dan Lawrence played an unbeaten half-century in the afternoon session, bolstering England’s position before the weather once again interrupted play. At 177 for seven, England may already have enough runs to push for a comprehensive victory and take an unassailable lead in the series. The final Test is scheduled to follow, with both teams seeking to make the most of the remaining opportunities.