Robinson, Archer rip through Pakistan as England take control at Lord's

Hosts finish day-2 on 81-3, extending lead to 261 as Pakistan struggle on a tricky pitch

After a shambolic batting display at Headingley, Pakistan’s batting line collapsed again at Lord’s on Friday, with eight players failing to reach double figures as they were bowled out for 110 in their first innings, allowing England to tighten their grip on the Test and build a 261-run overall lead by stumps on day two.

Azan Awais top-scored with 46, but Pakistan’s innings unravelled around him, with eight batters failing to reach double figures and Imam-ul-Haq unable to bat after picking up an injury.

Ollie Robinson was the chief destroyer, taking four wickets for 11 runs as England dismissed Pakistan in 37.2 overs. Jofra Archer claimed three wickets and Josh Tongue two.

Watch out, Jofra's about! 🚨

Shan Masood departs ☝️

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— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 28, 2026

England, who had earlier been bowled out for 290, finished the day on 81 for 3 in their second innings. Emilio Gay was unbeaten on 30 and Harry Brook on seven when bad light stopped play.

Imam’s absence forced Pakistan into a new opening combination, with Shan Masood coming in alongside Azan Awais. The experiment lasted only four balls, as Masood was caught behind by Jamie Smith off Archer for one, leaving Pakistan five for one.

Shafique struggled for fluency and survived 32 balls for five before Tongue found his edge, and Smith completed the catch. Pakistan went to lunch at 16 for two, having managed just 11 runs in the opening session.

Babar Azam lasted 24 balls for eight before Tongue had him caught at third slip by Jordan Cox, leaving Pakistan 30 for three.

The Pakistan captain goes! 👏

Tongue gets Babar ☝️

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— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 28, 2026

Saud Shakeel appeared to have survived an lbw appeal on 16, but England reviewed the decision and overturned it. Awais also benefited from the review system when he was initially given caught behind off Archer on 41, only for the replay to show that the ball had missed his bat.

Rain briefly interrupted proceedings with Pakistan 81 for four after 28 overs, but play resumed within minutes.

Play has been delayed due to rain 🌧️

Pakistan are 81-4 🏏#ENGvPAK | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/EZrtK4f0SC

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 28, 2026

The respite was short-lived. Mohammad Rizwan was trapped lbw by Robinson for seven soon after Pakistan had avoided the follow-on, and Ali Usman was bowled by Archer for one after the total passed 100.

Khurram Shahzad followed for one, edging Robinson to Brook at second slip, before Awais finally fell after making the most of the limited support around him. He attempted to pull Robinson but found the top edge, ending a 71-ball stay that had yielded 46.

Abbas was bowled by Archer for two, while Mohammad Ali was left unbeaten on three. With Imam unable to bat, Pakistan’s innings ended at 110, leaving England with a first-innings lead of 180.

Our bowlers AGAIN 👏

A first-innings lead of 180! 🏏

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— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 28, 2026

England began their second innings with little more assurance. Shahzad struck twice with the score on 13, removing Ben Duckett for one when Babar took the catch at mid-off and having Jordan Cox given lbw for 11.

Cox successfully reviewed the decision, with the technology showing that the ball was missing the stumps.

Gay and Joe Root then steadied England before Mohammad Ali removed Root for 24, the former England captain trapped lbw with the review confirming the on-field decision.

Bowlers do the damage to Pakistan as England take a massive lead into Day 3 💥#WTC27 | 📝: https://t.co/RHhzhca0G3 pic.twitter.com/xEIpHGYN3r

— ICC (@ICC) August 28, 2026

Bad light brought an early end to the day with England 81 for three, 261 runs ahead overall.

Earlier, England had resumed on 248 for nine and added 42 runs before the final wicket fell. Atkinson and Tongue put on 47 for the last wicket, extending England’s total to 290 before Usman dismissed Atkinson for 45.

Abbas finished with four for 73 and Mohammad Ali took three for 86 for Pakistan.