LONDON: England pacers made early inroads as Pakistan were in deep trouble at lunch on day four of the second Test match at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Sunday.
At the stroke of lunch, the visitors were 53-3 in 17 overs. Saud Shakeel made 23 off 36, including four boundaries, whereas Shah Masood struck two fours in his unbeaten 15.
Pakistan had a miserable start in a daunting chase as they lost Azan Awais for four in only the fourth over. Soon after, Abdullah Shafique was cleaned up for a duck, leaving the visitors two down for seven.
Babar Azam’s dismissal summed up Pakistan’s batting as Jofra Archer bowled a furious bouncer that put the skipper in an awkward position, resulting in an easy catch at slip.
Consequently, Pakistan were 14-3. However, Saud Shakeel and Shan Masood launched a recovery with an unbeaten half-century stand, bringing an end to another tumultuous session for the visitors.
Earlier, Mohammad Abbas picked up a five-wicket haul as England set Pakistan a daunting target of 389 to level the series.
The hosts were bowled out for 208 after batting for 54.1 overs. Dan Lawrence top-scored with a 54 off 74 deliveries, striking two sixes and seven fours.
Pakistan quickly wrapped up England’s innings on the morning of day four amid pristine weather conditions. The Three Lions resumed their innings from an overnight score of 177-7 and added only 31 to the total.
Abbas bowled Lawrence to provide Pakistan a bright start. He then followed it with Ollie Robinson’s dismissal, who was caught behind for eight. As a result, England were 187-9.
Pakistan did well to curtail England’s lineup as their lead neared the 400-run mark, as Joshe Tongue was the last wicket to fall. He was run out by a direct hit from captain Babar Azam after scoring 12.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas starred with the ball and picked up a five-wicket haul. Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali picked up two wickets.
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