England were rocked early, then steadied by two composed half-centuries as Jamie Smith and Jordan Cox dragged the hosts back into the contest against Pakistan on a tough opening day of the second Test at Lord’s. On a green-tinged surface under heavy skies, Mohammad Abbas made the new ball talk before England answered with patience, grit and timely counterpunches.
Pakistan strike early after choosing to field
Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s decision to bowl first looked immediately justified when Abbas tore through England’s top order. The veteran seamer removed three batters for just four runs in a devastating 16-ball burst, and England quickly found themselves in deep trouble at 36-3.
The key wicket came when Abbas trapped Joe Root lbw for four, a moment that shifted the mood around the ground. Ben Duckett also fell for 17, while Harry Brook was bowled for 15 by Mohammad Ali as Pakistan seized control during the morning session.
Conditions were ideal for seam bowling, and Pakistan made the most of them. The pitch had a green tinge, the sky stayed gloomy, and the ball continued to nip around enough to test every batter’s technique and judgment.
Abbas leads the charge
Abbas finished with excellent figures of 4-56 from 15 overs, while Ali supported him well with 3-67 from 17 overs. Their combined pressure ensured England were never allowed to settle for long, even as the innings began to recover later in the day.
England’s early collapse felt especially significant after Pakistan’s struggles in the first Test at Headingley, where they were beaten by 103 runs. This time, though, the visitors arrived with better discipline, sharper execution and a clearer plan with the ball.
Smith and Cox rebuild with calm and control
Just when England looked vulnerable, Jamie Smith and Jordan Cox produced the innings that kept the hosts alive. Smith’s 61 came from 63 balls and mixed neat defence with controlled aggression, while Cox made 55 from 88 deliveries in what was his second successive Test fifty.
The pair shared a crucial 67-run partnership that turned a potentially disastrous day into a competitive one. Their stand was built on patience against the new ball and willingness to cash in when Pakistan drifted slightly off target.
Smith, in particular, stood out for the way he absorbed pressure. He later told Sky Sports that the conditions were “a decent enough day for us” and admitted the ball was “doing enough, nipping around,” adding that Pakistan’s early wickets created the sort of pressure England struggled to escape.
Cox’s innings was equally valuable. He struck seven fours and worked the ball smartly into the gaps, showing the composure England needed after the top-order wobble.
Fielding moments shape the middle overs
Pakistan were not flawless in the field, and that mattered. Dan Lawrence was dropped on 10 when a routine chance was missed at midwicket, and the visitors also let England off the hook at key moments during the partnership-building phase.
But Pakistan still found enough success to keep the pressure alive. Cox’s run-out of Lawrence, after a sharp throw from Shan Masood helped complete the dismissal, was a reminder that the visitors remained dangerous even when their fielding wavered.
One quote from the England camp summed up the flow of the day: Smith said the new ball had been “assisting” and that Pakistan had shown how quickly wickets can change the balance of a Test match. It was a fitting assessment of a day that swung repeatedly without ever fully settling.
Late blows leave England with work to do
After Smith and Cox had rebuilt the innings, Pakistan struck again to finish the day on top. Smith was clean bowled by Ali, and two balls later the same bowler removed Ollie Robinson with another delivery that jagged back sharply.
Abbas then returned to dismiss Jofra Archer, after the fast bowler briefly lifted the crowd with a straight-driven six. England’s lower order showed some resistance, and Gus Atkinson remained unbeaten on 34 at stumps, but the hosts still reached only 248-9 when bad light ended play.
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| England | 248-9 |
| Pakistan | Yet to bat |
England will feel relieved to have avoided a complete collapse, yet Pakistan remain in a strong position after dominating the first and last phases of the day. With Abbott’s spell, Ali’s accuracy and the early new-ball assistance, the tourists forced England into a fight from the opening overs.
The second Test has already taken on the feel of a tactical battle. Pakistan have the momentum, but England’s recovery through Smith and Cox has ensured the match is still alive heading into day two.
