LONDON - England defeated Pakistan by 194 runs at Lord’s on Sunday to clinch an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series, despite a spirited 97 from Saud Shakeel. Chasing 389 for victory, Pakistan were bowled out for 194 in 50.5 overs. Saud fought a lone battle with a composed 122-ball innings featuring 13 fours and two sixes, but England’s disciplined bowling attack eventually ended the visitors’ resistance. Pakistan suffered a disastrous start to their chase, slipping to 14 for three. Ollie Robinson removed Azan Awais for six before dismissing Abdullah Shafique for a duck in the same over, while Jofra Archer accounted for captain Babar Azam for six.
Saud then revived Pakistan’s hopes with Shan Masood, adding 97 for the fourth wicket. The partnership helped Pakistan cross the 100-run mark before Robinson struck again, dismissing Shan for 26. The England pacer soon trapped Mohammad Rizwan lbw for one, leaving Pakistan at 115 for five.
Ali Usman joined Saud in a brief 31-run stand, but Archer dismissed Usman for 16 to leave Pakistan six down for 146. Saud continued to defy England before Josh Tongue ended his resistance on 97. Tongue then removed Khurram Shahzad for nine and wrapped up the innings by dismissing Ali for eight.
Earlier, England were dismissed for 208 in their second innings, setting Pakistan a formidable target. Mohammad Abbas led Pakistan’s bowling effort with his eighth Test five-wicket haul, finishing with 5-57 from 22 overs. Resuming at 177-7, England lost their final three wickets for 31 runs. Harry Brook top-scored with 34, while Emilio Gay made 31 and Joe Root contributed 24. Dan Lawrence, who scored 54 in England’s second innings, was also among the wickets to fall. England had established a commanding position after recovering from 243-9 to post 290 in their first innings, thanks largely to a 47-run last-wicket partnership between Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson. The hosts then bowled Pakistan out for just 110, securing a 180-run first-innings advantage.
Robinson and the rest of England’s attack maintained their pressure throughout the match, while Pakistan were further hampered by Imam-ul-Haq’s inability to bat because of injury. The third and final Test will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, from September 9 to 13, with England now looking to complete a series clean sweep.
ENGLAND 290 AND 208 (Lawrence 54, Abbas 5-57) beat PAKISTAN 110 (Awais 46, Robinson 4-11, Archer 3-26) AND 194-9 (Shakeel 97, Robinson 4-24, Tongue 3-46, Archer 2-73) by 194 runs.