England beat Pakistan by 194 runs at Lord’s, take 2-0 series lead

England defeated Pakistan by 194 runs on the fourth day of the Lord’s Test, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

England resumed their second innings at 177 for 7 and lost their final three wickets after adding 31 runs to their overnight total. They were eventually bowled out for 208 in 54.2 overs.

The highlight of England’s second innings was a 54-run knock by 29-year-old Essex batter Dan Lawrence, who faced 70 deliveries. It was Lawrence’s sixth half-century in Test cricket.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas was the standout bowler in England’s second innings, taking five wickets for 57 runs. The 36-year-old’s five-wicket haul was his first at Lord’s and the seventh five-wicket haul by a Pakistani bowler at the historic ground. Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali took two wickets each.

After England scored 290 in the first innings, Pakistan were dismissed for just 110. England secured an 80-run first-innings lead and set Pakistan a target of 389 runs to win the Test.

As in Pakistan’s first innings, opener Imam-ul-Haq was unavailable due to a calf injury, with Azan Awais opening alongside Shan Masood. Pakistan, however, were reduced to 14 for 3, losing first-innings top scorer Azan Awais, Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam.

Former Test captain Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel then steadied the innings with a 97-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

After the lunch interval on day four, play was briefly interrupted by rain. When the match resumed, Pakistan suffered their fourth dismissal at 111. Ollie Robinson, who had already dismissed Azan Awais and Abdullah Shafique in three deliveries during his third over, struck again when an incoming delivery hit Shan Masood’s pads.

South African umpire Adrian Holdstock initially ruled the left-hander not out, but a review showed that the ball was hitting the stumps, forcing the umpire to overturn his decision.

Shan Masood was dismissed for 26 off 72 balls, bringing an end to his 97-run partnership with Saud Shakeel.

Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan lasted only nine deliveries before becoming Robinson’s fourth victim of the innings. Rizwan attempted to play a straight delivery coming into the stumps while down on one knee, but was given out LBW.

After the tea interval, Jofra Archer dismissed Ali Usman for 16. Saud Shakeel continued to fight at the other end, but fell agonisingly short of his fifth Test century. Attempting a pull shot against Josh Tongue, he was caught by Harry Brook near the boundary, just three runs short of a century.

Shakeel scored 97 off 122 deliveries, hitting 13 fours and two sixes.

Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 194 in their second innings, giving England a 194-run victory.

Ollie Robinson was England’s most successful bowler, finishing with four wickets for 24 runs. The victory gave England a decisive 2-0 lead in the series.

The third and final Test between England and Pakistan will begin on September 9 at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham.