Pakistan Dominates Opening Day at Lord’s as Abbas Tears Through England’s Top Order

Update: 28 August 2026, 2:13:39 PM

Pakistan seized control on the opening day of the second Test at Lord’s, reducing England to 80-4 after a delayed start caused by long-overdue rain in the capital. The damp, muggy conditions favored the tourists, with Muhammad Abbas spearheading the attack to dismantle England’s top order.

Abbas finished the session with figures of 3-34, while Mohammad Ali provided crucial support by claiming one wicket shortly before the lunch interval. The breakthrough came in the third over when Muhammad Rizwan secured a sharp diving catch behind the stumps to dismiss Emilio Gay. Abbas continued his momentum by trapping Ben Duckett leg-before-wicket; although the initial appeal was turned down, Pakistan successfully challenged the decision. He then claimed the prized wicket of England captain Joe Root, pinning him in front of the stumps for just four runs.

Jordan Cox provided some resistance for the hosts, reaching 27 not out from 29 balls by the break. However, the session belonged to Pakistan, highlighted by Ali’s inswinger that bowled Harry Brook for 15.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who missed the series opener at Headingley due to a finger injury, returned to the side and won the toss, electing to field. Azam replaced stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha as the only change to the lineup. “We will bowl first because of the conditions,” Azam noted. “The pitch has grass on it… Now, I am 100 per cent fit. That’s why I am here. Good to go. Always an honour for us to play at Lord’s, especially for me as a captain.”

England, currently leading the three-match series 1-0, remained unchanged following their victory at Headingley. Reflecting on the team’s form, Root stated, “The all-round nature was most pleasing, the way we were so calm and the ability we had to recognise those moments. It wasn’t absolutely perfect but it was a great blueprint and more of the same this week would be outstanding.” A win at Lord’s would secure England’s first Test series victory since defeating New Zealand in 2024.

Off the field, England continues to navigate disciplinary issues. Derbyshire Police confirmed they are investigating “allegations of assault” following an incident involving fast bowler Brydon Carse, who was handcuffed outside a nightclub over the weekend and subsequently removed from the squad. The report also notes that despite not being given ⁠out on the field, Pakistan successfully reviewed, ben Duckett was Abbas’s next ‌victim by jagging a ball back that trapped him on his back foot and. The report also notes that azam was absent as Pakistan suffered an innings and 103-run thrashing in last week’s series opener at Headingley after aggravating a finger injury. The report also notes that we will bowl first because of the conditions,” the 31-year-old batsman said. The report also notes that england, 1-0 up in a three-match contest, were unchanged following just their third win in 11 Tests. The report also notes that england are dealing with the latest of several off-field incidents that have plagued the team in recent months. The report also notes that england: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (capt), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (wkt), Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.