England Seamers Put Hosts in Control of Second Test Against Pakistan

BBC Sport reports that England took commanding control of the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s after their four-man seam attack dismissed the tourists for 110 on day two. England closed on 81-3 in their second innings, an overall lead of 261 runs, leaving the hosts well placed to push for the victory that would secure the series.

Watch the highlights:

England began Friday on 248-9 and stretched their first innings to 290. Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue added 42 runs in the morning, taking their final-wicket partnership to 47 and giving the home side early momentum. Pakistan were without opener Imam-ul-Haq because of a calf injury when their reply began.

Pakistan then struggled throughout a disciplined spell of fast bowling. Azan Awais made 46 and was the only batter to pass 20, while extras provided the next-highest contribution. Ollie Robinson took 4-11, Jofra Archer claimed 3-26 and Tongue added two wickets as Pakistan conceded a first-innings deficit of 180.

Robinson’s control and movement brought the most productive figures, with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith often standing up to the stumps. Archer supplied the greater pace, reaching 95mph during his opening spell, according to the BBC report. The pair finished Pakistan’s innings after Robinson removed Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Rizwan and Awais, while Archer bowled Ali Usman and Muhammad Abbas.

England’s second innings started unevenly as Ben Duckett and Jordan Cox fell inside 19 balls, both to Khurram Shahzad. Emilio Gay and Joe Root repaired the innings with a 47-run partnership before Mohammad Ali trapped Root lbw for 24. Harry Brook successfully reviewed an lbw decision from the next delivery after replays showed an inside edge, while Gay reached the close unbeaten on 30.

The match remains unfinished, and England may face a delay in extending their advantage because the forecast cited by BBC Sport indicated heavy rain on Saturday. Even so, the scale of the lead gives the hosts control with three scheduled days remaining. Pakistan must first contain England’s second innings and then produce a substantially stronger batting performance to keep the Test and the series alive.