LONDON — England completed a commanding 194-run victory over Pakistan in the second Test at Lord’s on Sunday, sealing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and ending Pakistan’s 16-year unbeaten run at the historic venue.
The hosts dismissed Pakistan for 194 while defending a target of 389, building on their innings-and-103-run triumph in the opening Test at Headingley. The result leaves Pakistan facing the prospect of a series whitewash with one match remaining.
Pakistan’s Chase Falters Early
Pakistan entered the final innings needing a formidable chase after England were bowled out for 208 in their second innings on the fourth morning. Mohammad Abbas gave the visitors a major boost by claiming five wickets for 57 runs, earning a place on the Lord’s honours board for the first time in his career.
However, England’s bowlers quickly exposed Pakistan’s fragile batting line-up. The visitors were reduced to 14 for three early in the chase, leaving them with a mountain to climb on a challenging surface.
Ollie Robinson once again proved the biggest threat to Pakistan, striking twice in the opening stages of the innings. He removed Azan Awais before producing a superb delivery to breach Abdullah Shafique’s defence, with the opener departing without scoring.
Jofra Archer then delivered another major blow by dismissing Pakistan captain Babar Azam. Babar attempted to leave a short delivery but was caught in the slips, with Jordan Cox completing the catch.
Shakeel’s Lone Resistance
Saud Shakeel provided Pakistan with their only substantial resistance of the innings. The left-hander reached his half-century from 54 balls and continued to attack whenever opportunities presented themselves. He struck boundaries regularly and appeared determined to prolong the contest, despite wickets falling around him.
Shakeel and Ali Usman briefly frustrated England, but the visitors’ hopes remained slim as the required runs continued to climb. Ali Usman eventually fell for 16, dragging a delivery from Archer onto his stumps. Shakeel responded by taking on Josh Tongue and struck two sixes as he attempted to accelerate towards a century.
His aggressive approach ultimately proved his downfall. Shakeel was dismissed for 97, caught in the deep off Tongue, falling just three runs short of a deserved century. With his departure, England quickly wrapped up the innings. Tongue removed Mohammad Ali for the final wicket, leaving Pakistan all out for 194.
Abbas Makes History at Lord’s
Earlier, Mohammad Abbas produced one of the standout individual performances of the match. Resuming the fourth morning with three wickets in England’s second innings, the veteran seamer completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Dan Lawrence and Ollie Robinson.
Abbas finished with figures of 5-57 from 22 overs and ended the match with 9-130. His five-wicket haul earned him a place on the prestigious Lord’s honours board, which recognises players who take at least five wickets in an innings or reach other major individual milestones at the famous ground.
England had resumed the day on 177-7 after rain and poor light restricted play on Saturday. Lawrence, unbeaten on 50 overnight, added four more runs before Abbas bowled him with a superb seaming delivery. Abbas then dismissed Robinson, who edged a delivery through to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.
England’s Dominance Across Both Innings
England had earlier posted 290 in their first innings, with Jamie Smith top-scoring with 61 and Jordan Cox making 55. Abbas was Pakistan’s leading bowler in that innings with 4-73, while Mohammad Ali claimed three wickets.
Pakistan’s first innings was another major disappointment as they were bowled out for only 110. Azan Awais top-scored with 46, while Ollie Robinson took 4-11 and Jofra Archer claimed 3-26.
England’s victory followed their emphatic success at Headingley in the first Test, where they won by an innings and 103 runs. The hosts have therefore dominated both matches and secured the series with one Test still to play.
The third and final Test is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on September 9, with Pakistan now looking to avoid a clean sweep and England aiming to complete a 3-0 series victory.
