Mohammad Abbas claimed three more wickets on Saturday, but England continued to dominate the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s. The hosts reached 162-6 in their second innings, extending their overall lead to 342 runs.

Rain delayed the start of the third day, wiping out the entire morning session. After play resumed, another downpour forced an early tea.

Abbas finished the session with figures of 3-48. His latest wickets took his match tally to seven after he returned 4-73 in England’s first innings of 290.

However, Pakistan face another difficult task. They scored only 110 in their first innings after England had dismissed them for 171 and 135 in an innings-and-103-run victory at Headingley.

England lose wickets but stay in control

England resumed on 81-3 under gloomy conditions. The floodlights remained on as the green-tinged pitch continued to offer assistance to Pakistan’s fast bowlers.

Liverpool Rescue Point Late as Forest Frustrate Iraola at Anfield

Emilio Gay resumed on 30 after a determined 69-ball effort on Friday. The opener had averaged only 22.50 across his first eight Test innings.

Gay added just one run before Abbas trapped him lbw. The delivery stayed unusually low and struck Gay on the back leg.

Harry Brook then provided England with some momentum. He advanced down the pitch and drove Khurram Shahzad through wide mid-on for four.

The England batter soon found another boundary after edging a powerful drive through the gully region. However, Brook fell for 34 after the next rain interruption.

Abbas produced the breakthrough. His delivery moved off the pitch and caught the edge of Brook’s bat. Mohammad Rizwan reacted quickly behind the stumps to complete an excellent catch.

Lawrence frustrates Pakistan attack

Dan Lawrence then took the attack to Pakistan. He cut Mohammad Ali for four before launching the next delivery over cover for six.

Lawrence remained unbeaten on 37 when rain stopped play again. His resistance helped England maintain a commanding position.

Pakistan had enjoyed a brief spell of success on Friday. Khurram Shahzad took two wickets for five runs in his opening two overs.

Ben Duckett fell for one after mistiming a drive to mid-off. Joe Cox then departed for 11 after a successful review confirmed an lbw decision.

Joe Root arrived with England under pressure at 13-2. Yet the former captain steadied the innings alongside Gay.

Root eventually fell for 24 when Mohammad Ali produced a delivery that moved back into him. It was the ninth time in 12 Test innings that Root had fallen lbw.

Brook survived the next ball after reviewing another lbw decision. The replay showed a clear inside edge.

Pakistan face another uphill chase

England ended the second day with a 261-run lead after bad light stopped play. They then extended that advantage beyond 300 despite losing three more wickets on Saturday.

Pakistan now face a huge fourth-innings target if England declare or reach a substantial total. History offers little encouragement. Pakistan have never scored more than 234 while chasing in the fourth innings of a Test against England in England.

With Lawrence unbeaten and Gus Atkinson alongside him, England still have three wickets in hand. Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson remain to bat.

For Pakistan, Abbas has provided the biggest threat with the ball. Khurram has also taken two wickets, while Mohammad Ali has claimed one.

Yet the visitors need a remarkable turnaround to keep the three-match series alive.

England won the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs. A victory at Lord’s would give them an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

Scoreboard

England 1st innings: 290
J. Smith 61; Mohammad Abbas 4-73

Pakistan 1st innings: 110
Azan Awais 46; O. Robinson 4-11

England 2nd innings: 162-6 (44.3 overs)
E. Gay 31, H. Brook 34, D. Lawrence 37*, J. Root 24, J. Smith 7

Bowling:
Mohammad Abbas 18-2-48-3, Khurram Shahzad 14-3-56-2, Mohammad Ali 11.3-1-51-1