IMAGE: England’s Ollie Robinson appeals successfully for the wicket of Pakistan’s Azan Awais on Day 4 of the second Test at Lord’s on Sunday. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters
Key Points
- England beat Pakistan by 194 runs at Lord’s, securing their first home Test series victory in two years with one match still to play.
- Ollie Robinson was the outstanding bowler, taking 4/24 in the second innings after his 4/11 first-innings haul to reach 16 wickets in the series.
- Saud Shakeel’s fighting 97 was Pakistan’s main resistance, but he fell three runs short of a deserved century as the visitors were dismissed for 194.
- Pakistan were never in the chase after slipping to 14/3, with England completing the win before the third and final Test at Edgbaston on September 9.
England beat Pakistan by 194 runs in the second Test and sealed their first home Test series victory for two years as they bowled the visitors out for 194 at Lord’s on Sunday.
The outcome was a formality as Pakistan were reduced to 14-3 before lunch chasing an unlikely target of 389 but Saud Shakeel provided some resistance with a magnificent fighting 97.
Robinson Strikes Early to Leave Pakistan Reeling
IMAGE: Khurram Shahzad is bowled out by Josh Tongue. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters
Ollie Robinson was Pakistan’s chief tormentor again as he took four wickets for 24 to go with the four for 11 he bagged in the first innings, taking his total in the two Tests to 16.
After a rain-hit Saturday, England resumed on day four on 177-7 but were all out for 208 after Pakistan quick Mohammad Abbas helped mop up to finish with five wickets.
Robinson removed Azan Awais LBW with a delivery that nipped back off a length and three balls later produced a stunning delivery that hit the top of Abdullah Shafique’s off stump, leaving Pakistan reeling on 7-2.
IMAGE: Harry Brook celebrates after taking the catch to dismiss Saud Shakeel off the bowling of Josh Tongue. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters
There was no respite before lunch for Pakistan as captain Babar Azam tried to fend off a vicious Jofra Archer bouncer but could only edge it via his helmet to Jordan Cox at third slip.
Shan Masood and Shakeel dug in though and at least steered Pakistan to their highest score of the series so far.
Shakeel’s Fighting 97 Provides Rare Resistance
IMAGE: Saud Shakeel led Pakistan’s fightback with a superb 97, hitting 13 fours and two sixes while adding crucial resistance with Shan Masood. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters
Robinson removed Masood for 26 after lunch, but Shakeel provided some afternoon entertainment as he struck 13 fours and two sixes in a brilliant knock.
There was genuine disappointment around the ground when he fell three runs short of a deserved century, trying to launch Josh Tongue over the deep square leg boundary but picking out Harry Brook, before walking off to a hearty reception.
IMAGE: Mohammad Abbas celebrates after taking the wicket of Ollie Robinson. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters
With Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq again unable to bat because of an injury sustained in the field on Thursday, England only needed nine wickets to finish the contest and Tongue completed the victory by dismissing Mohammad Ali.
The third and final Test will start at Edgbaston on September 9.
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