Lawrence Reaches Unbeaten 50 as Rain Halts England at Lord's

Dan Lawrence made an unbeaten 50 as England strengthened their position against Pakistan during a rain-hit third day of the second Test at Lord's. England reached 177-7 in their second innings, giving the hosts a lead of 357 runs after Pakistan had been dismissed for 110 in reply to England's first-innings 290.

Watch the highlights:

BBC Sport reported that only 24.5 overs were possible on Saturday because of persistent rain. Play began at 14:40 BST and was interrupted repeatedly before the players left the field at 17:08. The day's action was abandoned at 18:30, with the decision drawing boos from spectators as conditions had improved and up to another hour could have been used.

England resumed on 81-3 and faced testing movement from Pakistan's seam attack under heavy cloud and floodlights. Emilio Gay was dismissed leg before wicket for 31 by a Muhammad Abbas delivery that stayed low. Harry Brook and Lawrence then added 45 for the fifth wicket before wicketkeeper Muhammad Rizwan caught Brook for 34 while standing up to the stumps.

Lawrence changed his approach after reaching 19 from 39 balls. He struck Mohammad Ali for a four and a six in consecutive deliveries, then hit spinner Ali Usman for six after tea. The England batter completed his fifth Test half-century from 64 balls and remained at the crease when the weather allowed only two further deliveries.

The innings was Lawrence's second half-century in as many Tests, according to the BBC. Abbas led Pakistan's bowling figures with 3-48 in England's second innings, after taking 4-73 in the first. England had earlier bowled Pakistan out for 110, with Ollie Robinson claiming 4-11 and Jofra Archer taking 3-26.

Pakistan will require at least 358 runs when the match resumes. The Test is scheduled for five days, leaving England two days to pursue the victory that would secure the series. The BBC reported a better weather forecast for Sunday, although the movement and uneven bounce seen on Saturday indicated that batting could remain difficult.