London, August 30, 2026: England defeated Pakistan by 194 runs in the second Test at Lord’s on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, despite a valiant 97 from Saud Shakeel.
Chasing a daunting target of 389, Pakistan were bowled out for 194 in 50.5 overs after losing wickets at regular intervals. Shakeel waged a lone battle for the visitors but fell just three runs short of a well-deserved fifth Test century.
Pakistan were further hampered by the absence of opener Imam-ul-Haq, who did not bat in the second innings because of injury.
England pacer Josh Tongue completed the formalities by removing Shakeel, Khurram Shahzad and Ali Usman in the closing stages as the hosts wrapped up a convincing victory.
Pakistan’s chase got off to a disastrous start as Ollie Robinson struck twice in the fifth over.
Azan Awais was trapped leg before wicket for six off 14 deliveries before Robinson removed Abdullah Shafique for a duck with the final ball of the same over.
Jofra Archer then dismissed Pakistan captain Babar Azam for six, leaving the visitors reeling at 14/3 after 7.1 overs.
Shakeel steadied the innings and brought up his 11th Test half-century while sharing a 50-run fourth-wicket partnership with former captain Shan Masood.
The pair appeared to be rebuilding Pakistan’s chase, but Robinson struck again to dismiss Masood for 26 off 72 balls, ending their 97-run partnership.
Robinson then claimed his fourth wicket by trapping Mohammad Rizwan lbw for one, leaving Pakistan struggling at 115/5.
Shakeel continued to resist and was joined by Ali Usman, with the pair adding 31 runs for the seventh wicket to briefly raise Pakistan’s hopes.
Archer eventually dismissed Usman for 16 off 44 balls, reducing Pakistan to 146/6.
Shakeel continued his determined resistance but his innings finally ended when Tongue dismissed him for 97 off 122 deliveries. His innings included 13 fours and two sixes.
Tongue then removed Khurram Shahzad for nine before dismissing Ali for eight to complete England’s victory.
Earlier, England were dismissed for 208 in their second innings, setting Pakistan a target of 389.
Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas led the visitors’ bowling attack with his eighth career five-wicket haul, finishing with impressive figures of 5/57 from 22 overs. Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shahzad claimed two wickets each.
England resumed the day at 177/7 after rain had restricted the third day’s play to just 24.5 overs.
Dan Lawrence top-scored with 54 off 70 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, while Harry Brook made 34, Emilio Gay scored 31 and captain Joe Root contributed 24.
The hosts lost their final three wickets for 31 runs. Abbas dismissed Ollie Robinson for eight to complete his five-wicket haul, while Josh Tongue was run out by Babar Azam for 12.
England had earlier been bowled out for 290 in their first innings after recovering from 243/9 through a crucial 47-run partnership between Tongue and Gus Atkinson.
Pakistan, however, struggled badly with the bat and were dismissed for only 110, giving England a first-innings lead of 180 runs.
The victory marks a commanding performance by England in a Test that Pakistan had initially dominated with the ball.
Pakistan’s pace attack had reduced England to 248/9 on the opening day, but the hosts’ lower order fought back before England’s bowlers exploited Pakistan’s batting weaknesses.
England’s victory at Lord’s gives them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series, leaving Pakistan with only pride to play for in the final match.
