London, August 27, 2026: Pakistan’s much-criticised bowling attack delivered a strong response on the opening day of the second Test against England at Lord’s on Thursday, repeatedly striking to leave the hosts struggling at 222 for eight in the afternoon session.
Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas led Pakistan’s charge with a disciplined three-wicket spell, while Ali added another breakthrough as the touring side maintained pressure on England’s batting lineup throughout the day.
Abbas, who has been Pakistan’s standout bowler, had taken three wickets for 38 runs from 13 overs by the time of filing this report. His incisive opening spell accounted for three key England batters, including opener Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett and captain Joe Root.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to field, and his decision quickly paid dividends as Pakistan’s bowlers took control despite intermittent rain delaying the start of play.
England’s opening pair of Duckett and Gay initially made a positive start, putting together 21 runs in five overs. Abbas then broke through by having Gay caught behind, before dismissing Duckett for 17 off 20 balls in his very next over.
With England reduced to 26 for two, Root joined Jordan Cox but could not provide the stability his team needed. Abbas struck again to remove the England captain for just four off 13 deliveries after their brief 10-run partnership.
Top-ranked batter Harry Brook attempted to rebuild the innings alongside Cox, but Ali ended their 31-run fourth-wicket partnership by cleaning up Brook for 15 in the final over of the opening session.
The wickets left England in a difficult position and underlined the effectiveness of Pakistan’s bowling attack, which consistently challenged the hosts’ top order.
England found some relief in the afternoon session as Cox and Dan Lawrence resumed the innings at 80 for four. The pair added 43 runs before Lawrence was run out following a mix-up after scoring 17 from 41 balls, including one boundary.
Wicketkeeper-batter Smith then joined Cox and helped frustrate Pakistan’s bowlers with a composed unbeaten partnership. The pair added 60 runs without being separated, enabling England to score 100 runs for the loss of just one wicket during the session.
Cox’s unbeaten half-century provided the main resistance for the hosts, but England remained eight wickets down, with Pakistan’s bowlers firmly in contention to dictate the remainder of the opening day.
Abbas’s three-wicket haul was particularly significant, with the experienced seamer repeatedly breaking partnerships and removing England’s key batters. Ali’s dismissal of Brook further strengthened Pakistan’s position as the visitors continued to press for the remaining wickets.
