ENG vs PAK: 2nd Test: England survive early dent to share honours on day 1 at Lord's

The opening act of the Lord's Test saw a tug of war between England and Pakistan as both sides wrestled for momentum on a rain-hit day. Pakistan made the brave and bold call of dropping Salman Ali Agha, who had led them in the series opener, as designated skipper Babar Azam came back into the playing XI after regaining his fitness. The tourists had the Three Lions on toast early on as Mohammad Abbas proved once again why he is one of the best red-ball bowlers going around in Pakistan cricket.

Emilio Gay was the first to depart. He would consider himself highly unfortunate as he played a fine leg glance, but Mohammad Rizwan took an outstanding one-handed grab using his right, outstretched hand to dismiss him for 8. Ben Duckett was the next one to fall as he failed to defend against an in-dipper with a scrambled seam and was pinned in front of off-stump for 17.

Abbas' biggest scalp of the day came when he got one to come into the England captain Joe Root and trapped him leg before wicket (LBW). The pair of Jordan Cox and Harry Brook stitched a 41-run stand, but an unplayable nip backer from Mohammad Ali disturbed England's vice-captain's woodwork.

77/4 became 120/5 when a mix-up between Dan Lawrence and Cox saw England slide down the drain. Lawrence was sent back to the striker's end by Cox as the duo initially tried stealing a run off Shan Masood at short mid-wicket, but it was too late as a sharp throw from the former Pakistan skipper and neat glovework put an end to the English allrounder's stay.

But just when Pakistan felt they had the game in their claws, Jamie Smith joined Cox in the middle. The England pair weathered the storm and took the attack to the visitors, finding scoring opportunities with ease. Cox scored a dogged half-century and was undone by a breathtaking catch at second slip by the substitute fielder Agha.

Well, that is sensational 👏 pic.twitter.com/TnMfjGCBzy

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 27, 2026

Ali produced another top-notch nip-backer to get rid of Smith for 61 but not before the hosts had passed the 200-run mark.

England lost two more wickets in the form of Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer before bad light put a premature end to the day's play. England finished on 248/9 and will hope Gus Atkinson (34*) can frustrate the tourists more.