LONDON : Mohammad Abbas claimed four wickets as Pakistan dominated the opening session before England recovered to reach 248-9 on a weather-shortened first day of the second test at Lord’s on Thursday.
After winning the toss on a humid morning and electing to bowl, Pakistan made immediate use of the helpful conditions as Abbas ripped through England’s top order with figures of 3-34 before lunch.
The veteran seamer removed Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett and captain Joe Root as England slumped to 80-4 at the interval. Root, who had been dropped on one, was trapped lbw for four, while Harry Brook was bowled by a fine inswinger from Mohammad Ali.
Pakistan’s disciplined bowling put the hosts under pressure early, but Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith led the recovery with half-centuries.
Cox made a patient 55 before his 67-run stand with Smith was broken when substitute fielder Salman Agha produced a sharp one-handed catch at slip off Khurram Shahzad. Smith then counter-attacked with 61, helping England regain momentum before falling to Ali.
Dan Lawrence contributed before being run out following sharp work from Shan Masood and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, while Ali also removed Ollie Robinson for a duck.
Abbas returned to claim his fourth wicket when Jofra Archer was dismissed for 14, but Gus Atkinson’s unbeaten 34 helped England push towards a competitive total before bad light brought an early close after only 56 overs.
“This is my favourite ground. I played my first test match here in 2018 and I was man of the match,” Abbas said.
“I think they scored a little bit more after the morning session, but we are still happy.”
England wicketkeeper Smith said batting became easier as the ball softened, adding that Pakistan’s bowlers had made full use of the new-ball conditions.
Pakistan trail 1-0 in the three-test series after suffering an innings-and-103-run defeat in the opening test at Headingley.
