Rain frustrates England's bid for Pakistan series win

Rain frustrates England's bid for Pakistan series win. AFP Published August 29, 2026 Updated August 29, 2026 05: 50pm.

Key points

• The hosts dismissed Pakistan for a meagre 110 on Friday, with seamer Ollie Robinson returning remarkable figures of 4-11 in just 13 overs.
• When 13 wickets fell in total, England then slumped to 13-2 in their second innings on a pitch still offering significant seam movement, on Friday.
• Conditions had began to ease, even so, with the umpires planning an inspection at 1: 15pm local time (5: 15pm PKT) provided there was no further rain.
• Pakistan have additionally never scored more than 234 in the fourth innings of any Test against England in England.
• Nevertheless, they recovered to 81-3 – an overall lead of 261 runs – when bad light forced an early close to the second day.

England's push for a series-clinching win over Pakistan was halted by rain on Saturday, with no play before lunch on the third day of the second Test at Lord's.

England, bidding to go 2-0 up in a three-match series, are in a commanding position at 81-3 in their second innings. Their overall lead of 261 is more than Pakistan have managed in three completed innings so far this series.

For context, the hosts dismissed Pakistan for a meagre 110 on Friday, with seamer Ollie Robinson returning remarkable figures of 4-11 in just 13 overs. Under-pressure England opener Emilio Gay will resume on 30 not out, with Harry Brook unbeaten on seven.

Gay walked out to bat on Friday averaging a lowly 22.50 from his first eight Test innings against the backdrop of questions over where talented England batsman Jacob Bethell might slot in when he regains fitness.

Brook, meanwhile, is bidding for his first Test century in over a year despite being ranked as the number one batsman in Test cricket.

Nevertheless, they recovered to 81-3 – an overall lead of 261 runs – when bad light forced an early close to the second day. The hosts are seeking an unassailable 2-0 lead in a three-match series.

Robinson was well-supported by fast bowler Jofra Archer. This person did the initial damage in a return of 3-26, and fellow paceman Josh Tongue, who finished with 2-27 after making a Test-best 30 not out at number 11 earlier on Friday.

After he was dropped on eight in the slips by Harry Brook, opener Azan Awais top-scored for the tourists with a determined 46.

Saud Shakeel's 16 was the only other double-figure contribution by a Pakistan batsman.

In practice, an innings lasting a mere 37.2 overs concluded with Pakistan nine wickets down after opener Imam-ul-Haq was unable to bat after a calf injury suffered when fielding on Thursday.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam obtained off the mark in style as he belted an 88 mph Tongue delivery through the covers for four before a flashing drive off Atkinson additionally sped to the boundary.

That was as good as it obtained for Azam. This person missed Pakistan's crushing innings and 103-run defeat in the first Test at Headingley last week with a finger injury, before he nicked Tongue to a diving Jordan Cox at third slip.

Taken together, the developments around rain frustrates England' s bid for Pakistan series win point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.