Defeat continues Green Caps’ run of humiliations abroad, Pakistan suffers ninth defeat in last 10 matches overseas
Ollie Robinson pictured in the second Test match between England and Pakistan. GETTY IMAGES
LONDON:
The Green Caps’ run of humiliations abroad continued unabated as Pakistan suffered their ninth defeat in their last 10 matches overseas.
The team surrendered by 194 runs on the fourth day of the second Test, while England secured their first Test series victory in two years.
Saud Shakeel fought bravely and scored 97, but missed a golden opportunity to have his name written in the Lord’s Honours Board. Babar Azam once again failed with the bat, while Mohammad Rizwan continued his disappointing habit of throwing away his wicket irresponsibly. Injured Imam-ul-Haq once again did not come out to bat.
Earlier, England were bowled out for 208 in their second innings, with Dan Lawrence scoring 54. Mohammad Abbas claimed five wickets, finishing with nine wickets in the match.
Pakistan were set an extremely difficult target of 389 runs to win the second Test at Lord’s. Their chase got off to a disastrous start. Shan Masood and debutant Azan Awais could add only seven runs before Robinson trapped Azan Awais lbw for six. A review also failed to save the batter.
Abdullah Shafique then joined Shan but was bowled for a duck with only the third ball he faced. Pakistan had therefore lost two wickets in the same over. The biggest blow came when captain Babar Azam departed for just six, edging an Archer bouncer to Cox at third slip with the total on 14.
Shan and Saud Shakeel ensured that no further wicket fell before lunch. Their solid batting continued in the second session, with Saud in particular playing positively. He smashed two boundaries in an Atkinson over to score 10 runs and completed his half-century from 54 balls.
Read: Robinson, Archer rip through Pakistan as England take control at Lord’s
With Pakistan reaching 94 for three after 25 overs, rain interrupted play. After a brief delay, the match resumed. The fourth-wicket partnership of 97 runs was eventually broken when Robinson trapped Shan Masood lbw. Robinson needed the assistance of the third umpire to confirm the decision. The opener scored 26 from 72 balls.
Mohammad Rizwan then joined Saud, but once again threw his wicket away irresponsibly. He was dismissed lbw by Robinson for just one run, and his review proved unsuccessful. Pakistan were reduced to 115 for five, although Saud continued to hold one end together.
In the next session, Archer bowled Ali Usman for 16 after an inside edge. Saud then shifted into an aggressive mode. He hit Tongue for two sixes and a four in one over to move his individual score to 96.
However, that same aggressive approach denied him a historic century at Lord’s. On 97, Saud attempted another big shot off Tongue but top-edged the ball, which was caught by Brook at deep short leg. Saud faced 122 balls and struck 13 fours and two sixes.
Khurram Shahzad was bowled by Tongue for nine. The pacer then dismissed Khurram Shahzad for eight, with Brook completing the catch. Injured Imam-ul-Haq again could not come out to bat.
Pakistan’s innings consequently ended at 194 in 50.5 overs, with Mohammad Abbas unbeaten on 13. Ollie Robinson took four wickets, and Josh Tongue claimed three.
Earlier on the fourth day, England resumed their second innings at 177 for seven. Dan Lawrence managed to add only four runs to his overnight score before being bowled by Abbas after an inside edge. He scored 54 from 70 balls.
The experienced pacer then dismissed Ollie Robinson for eight in his next over, with Rizwan taking a good catch behind the stumps. With that wicket, Abbas completed the feat of taking five wickets in an innings for the eighth time in his career.
Babar Azam then ran out Tongue for 12 with a direct hit from cover. Archer remained unbeaten on two as England’s second innings ended at 208 in 54.2 overs.
Mohammad Abbas finished with five wickets for 57 runs, while Mohammad Ali conceded 70 runs for his two wickets.
It may be recalled that Pakistan suffered their ninth defeat in their last 10 overseas matches. This is also Pakistan’s second consecutive Test series defeat in England; they had previously lost 1–0 in 2020.
England, meanwhile, secured their first series victory since December 2024. The third and final Test of the ongoing series will begin on September 9 in Birmingham.
