England Bowled Out for 290 as Pakistan Fight Back at Lord’s
England were dismissed for 290 in their first innings on the second day of the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s on Friday, leaving the visitors with a significant batting challenge as they seek to level the three-match series. Pakistan’s bowlers had created an early opening in the contest, but England’s lower order added valuable runs before the final wicket fell.
The hosts resumed from 248 for nine and stretched their total through a stubborn last-wicket partnership between Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue. Atkinson made 45 before being dismissed, while Tongue remained unbeaten on 30, his best score in Test cricket. Their stand added 47 runs for the tenth wicket and prevented Pakistan from wrapping up the innings as quickly as they would have hoped.
Mohammad Abbas was Pakistan’s leading bowler, finishing with four wickets for 73 runs from 20 overs. The experienced seamer had put England under intense pressure on the opening day, when the home side slipped to 36 for three after Pakistan chose to field first. His disciplined spell gave the tourists an opportunity to seize control, but England subsequently recovered through their middle and lower order.
Jamie Smith scored 61 and Jordan Cox contributed 55 as England rebuilt after their poor start. By the end of the first day, the hosts had reached 248 for nine before bad light stopped play. Pakistan returned on Friday hoping to remove the final wicket quickly, but Tongue and Atkinson resisted long enough to push the score close to the 300-run mark.
Pakistan eventually turned to left-arm spinner Ali Usman in an attempt to end the partnership. Atkinson attacked the spinner, striking a boundary before being dismissed on the following delivery. Tongue’s unbeaten innings included four fours and surpassed his previous Test-best score of 19, providing England with useful additional runs at a stage when Pakistan appeared close to closing the innings.
The match carries added importance for Pakistan after England won the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs. Pakistan were bowled out for 171 and 135 in that defeat, making their batting response at Lord’s critical to their chances of staying competitive in the series. Captain Babar Azam returned to the side after missing the first Test because of a finger injury, strengthening a batting unit seeking a major improvement.
Pakistan also faced an injury concern when opener Imam-ul-Haq remained off the field because of a left calf problem sustained while fielding on Thursday. Shan Masood therefore opened alongside Azan Awais when Pakistan began their first innings. The immediate focus will be on building a substantial response to England’s 290 and avoiding the batting collapses that proved decisive in the series opener, with the remainder of the second day likely to shape Pakistan’s prospects of forcing their way back into the contest.