LONDON - England moved into a commanding position in the second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s on Friday, extending their overall lead to 261 runs after dismissing the visitors for just 110 before reaching 81 for three in their second innings. Left-handed opener Emilio Gay anchored England’s response with an unbeaten 30, while Harry Brook was not out on seven at stumps. The pair added an unbroken 21-run stand after England lost three early wickets. Pakistan began the final innings 180 runs behind after their first-innings total of 110, and Khurram Shahzad initially gave them hope by removing Ben Duckett for one and Jordan Cox for 11.

Captain Joe Root then joined Gay and steadied the innings with a 47-run third-wicket partnership. Root scored 24 from 37 balls, including three boundaries, before Mohammad Ali ended his resistance. Gay and Brook then adopted a cautious approach to ensure England suffered no further damage before close. Shahzad finished with two wickets in the innings, while Ali claimed one.

Earlier, England’s bowlers had dismantled Pakistan’s batting after the visitors resumed at 16 for two. Emerging opener Azan Awais offered the only substantial resistance, scoring a patient 46 from 102 balls with seven boundaries. Saud Shakeel was the only other Pakistan batter to reach double figures, making 16, as England’s pace attack repeatedly breached the visitors’ defence. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 110 in 37.2 overs, with Imam-ul-Haq unable to bat because of injury.

Ollie Robinson was the pick of the England attack, finishing with four wickets for only 11 runs from 13 overs. Jofra Archer claimed three wickets and Josh Tongue two. England had earlier completed their first innings at 290, adding 42 runs on Friday morning after resuming at 248 for nine. Gus Atkinson’s 45 and Tongue’s unbeaten 30 helped the hosts add 47 runs for the final wicket. Mohammad Abbas was Pakistan’s leading bowler with four for 73, while Mohammad Ali took three wickets and Khurram Shahzad and Ali Usman claimed one each. Pakistan had enjoyed periods of dominance on the opening day, but England’s late-order resilience and subsequent bowling display have dramatically shifted the balance.

ENGLAND 290 (Abbas 4-73) AND 81-3 (Gay 30*, Shahzad 2-26) lead PAKISTAN 110 (Awais 46, Robinson 4-11, Archer 3-26) by 261 runs.