England were bowled out for 290 after Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson frustrated Pakistan with a stubborn final-wicket partnership on the second day of the second Test at Lord’s on Friday.
England resumed their innings in sunny conditions with Atkinson unbeaten on 34 and Tongue on one.
The pair added valuable runs before Pakistan finally ended the innings.
Tongue Records Test-Best Score
Josh Tongue produced an impressive display with the bat.
The England No. 11 remained unbeaten on 30 from 48 balls. He struck four boundaries and recorded the highest Test score of his career.
Tongue previously held a Test-best score of 19, which he made against Australia at Lord’s three years ago.
He confidently played Mohammad Ali through the leg side before driving Mohammad Abbas through the covers for another boundary.
Atkinson Adds Crucial 45
Gus Atkinson also played an important role for England.
He scored 45 from 46 balls and struck six fours.
Atkinson and Tongue added 47 runs for the tenth wicket. Their partnership lifted England from a difficult position and helped the hosts reach 290.
Atkinson eventually attempted another attacking shot against left-arm spinner Ali Usman. He hit the ball toward long-on but failed to clear the fielder.
His dismissal brought England’s innings to an end.
Abbas Leads Pakistan Attack
Mohammad Abbas finished as Pakistan’s leading bowler.
The experienced seamer claimed four wickets for 73 runs from 20 overs.
He had already caused major problems for England on Thursday, taking three wickets for just four runs from 16 deliveries.
England had fallen to 36-3 before Jamie Smith and Jordan Cox helped rebuild the innings.
Smith and Cox Rescue England
Jamie Smith produced a crucial 61 before his dismissal.
Jordan Cox also made an important contribution with 55.
Their half-centuries helped England recover from their early collapse.
By the time bad light stopped play on Thursday, England had reached 248-9.
Atkinson and Tongue then completed the innings on Friday.
Pakistan Begin Their Reply
Pakistan entered the second innings with confidence after dismissing England for 290.
The hosts still had a significant opportunity to build on their strong position after Pakistan struggled in the previous Test.
Pakistan scored only 171 and 135 in the first Test at Headingley. England won that match by an innings and 103 runs.
Babar Azam Returns
Pakistan welcomed the return of captain Babar Azam at Lord’s.
Babar missed the opening Test because of a finger injury.
However, Pakistan continued to miss opener Imam-ul-Haq.
Imam suffered a left calf muscle strain while fielding on Thursday and remained off the field on Friday.
Shan Masood therefore opened the innings alongside Azan Awais.
Pakistan Seek Strong Start
Pakistan will now look to build a strong first-innings total and take control of the second Test.
England, meanwhile, will hope their bowlers can exploit the conditions and put pressure on Pakistan’s batting lineup.
With England finishing on 290, the second day at Lord’s has set up another important battle between the two sides.
