ENG vs PAK 2nd Test: Babar’s Pakistan eye early finish as England bank on Atkinson

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ENG vs PAK 2nd Test live: Imam-ul-Haq sustains low-grade calf

There is some worrying news for Pakistan, with Imam-ul-Haq suffering a strain to his left calf muscle while fielding on the opening day of the Test. Scans later revealed a low-grade calf strain, and the opener is currently undergoing treatment under the supervision of Pakistan’s medical team.

ENG vs PAK 2nd Test live: Pakistan's batting holds the key

Once England's innings ends, the focus will immediately shift to Pakistan's top order. Pakistan's batting was their biggest weakness in the series opener at Headingley, where they suffered an innings defeat. Their return to Lord's has already brought a significant change, with Babar Azam back in the XI after missing the first Test with a finger injury. Babar also won the toss and chose to field on Day 1.

ENG vs PAK 2nd Test live: Middle Order saved collapse

Pakistan's bowlers repeatedly found movement from a surface that offered assistance under cloudy conditions. England were reduced to 36/3 and then 80/4 before Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith launched a determined recovery.

Cox's 55 was arguably the most important innings of the day. He absorbed pressure for long periods before forming a 67-run partnership with Smith, who produced a more aggressive 61 off 80 balls. Their efforts dragged England away from the prospect of being bowled out for a below-par total.

Atkinson's late counter-attack then pushed England towards 250, leaving the visitors with one final wicket to claim when play resumes.

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ENG vs PAK 2nd Test live: Pakistan's bowlers ripped through England

Mohammad Abbas has already done much of the damage. The experienced seamer finished with 4/56, including the wickets of Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett and England captain Joe Root in a superb opening spell. He also reached the landmark of 900 first-class wickets during the day. Mohammad Ali provided excellent support with 3/67.

ENG vs PAK 2nd Test live: England bank on Atkinson

England’s immediate objective will be to add as many runs as possible with Gus Atkinson unbeaten on 34 and Josh Tongue on one. Pakistan, meanwhile, will want to wrap up the innings quickly and put their batsmen into what could be their most important innings of the series.

ENG vs PAK 2nd Test live: Day 2 resume with Pakistan's advantage

Pakistan will resume Day 2 of the second Test against England with the advantage after a disciplined seam-bowling display reduced the hosts to 248/9 on a weather-hit opening day at Lord’s. Only 56 overs were possible after morning rain delayed the start and bad light brought an early close.

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A defining morning ahead - The first session today could well define the trajectory of this Test. If England can add quick runs and then strike early with the ball, they can wipe out Pakistan's advantage in no time. But if Pakistan's batters weather the early storm under the Lord's slope, they have a golden chance to build a match-winning lead. Day 2 is set to be an exciting watch for the fans of the purest form of this game.

Pakistan aim to stay ruthless - Pakistan were spot on with their plans on Day 1, with Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali outstanding with swing and seam. The job this morning is to stay ruthless and not allow the last England pair to add cheap runs. And when it is their turn to bat, the focus for the visitors will be on tight leaves and sharp discipline early on, especially with a cloud over Imam-ul-Haq's fitness.

England look for last-wicket runs - For England, yesterday was a lesson in patience against the moving red ball. The top order paid the price for loose shots, and the lower order will need to take a leaf out of the gritty fight shown by Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith. With Gus Atkinson unbeaten on a solid 34, the hosts will want to frustrate Pakistan, add whatever they can, and then let their own quicks exploit these morning conditions.

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Welcome to Lord's for Day 2 - Hello and a very warm welcome to everyone. We are back at the Home of Cricket, Lord's, for Day 2 of this absorbing Test between England and Pakistan. It was Pakistan's day on the opening day as their fiery pace attack made full use of the gloomy skies to reduce England to 248 for 9 at stumps. The hosts still have a pair out in the middle and will hope for some crucial runs this morning, while Pakistan will be eager to wrap it up quickly and seize complete control.

Wrapping up - Right then, that brings us to the end of a rain-affected yet eventful opening day of this second Test. The game is nicely poised, with both England and Pakistan having plenty to play for as they look to gain the upper hand on Day 2. Play gets underway at 10 am GMT, but make sure you join us early for all the build-up. Cheer!

Late wickets swing the session - Pakistan will be the happier side after a late burst in the final session saw England lose four wickets for 68 runs, slipping from 180/5 to 248/9. Jordan Cox fell for 55, ending his important partnership with Jamie Smith, who continued his counter-attack to make a valuable 61. Gus Atkinson then added a handy 34 and still out there, but Pakistan kept finding breakthroughs, with Mohammad Abbas moving to 4/56 and leaving himself one wicket short of a five-for. England managed to resist long enough to avoid being bowled out, but bad light ended the day with Pakistan just one wicket away from wrapping up the innings.

England fight back after Lunch - England turned the session around with a much more assured batting display, adding 100 runs in 26 overs for the loss of just one wicket to reach 180/5 at Tea. Cox brought up a second successive Test half-century and remained unbeaten on 55, while Jamie Smith injected aggression with a brisk 44. The only wicket came through a mix-up between Cox and Lawrence, who was run out for 17, while Pakistan also missed a couple of chances that could have made the session very different.

Pakistan dominate the morning - Pakistan made the most of the conditions after winning the toss and opting to bowl, reducing England to 80/4 by Lunch. Mohammad Abbas led the charge with a superb three-wicket burst, removing Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett and Joe Root, while Mohammad Ali added the wicket of Harry Brook. England found it tough to score freely, with Jordan Cox providing some resistance as he carried England through to the interval alongside Dan Lawrence.

5.39 pm GMT - STUMPS, DAY 1! With the light refusing to improve, the on-field umpires have called an early end to the day, with no further play possible due to bad light. It was a delayed start after the rain, but there was still plenty of action once play got underway, despite the weather refusing to cooperate. Pakistan were much sharper with the ball than in the first Test, although their fielding remained a concern. England, meanwhile, showed plenty of fight and head into Day 2 on 248/9, looking to squeeze out a few more valuable runs. Pakistan will be eager to finish the innings quickly, knowing batting is unlikely to be easy with overcast conditions expected to remain a factor throughout the Test.

UPDATE - 5.20 pm GMT - Another reading is being taken now, with the on-field umpires also having a conversation with the head of the ground staff. Also, the reading recorded here will serve as the benchmark for the rest of the days in this Test.

Game stopped due to : Bad Light

5.11 pm GMT, BAD LIGHT - The light meter is out now. A reading is being taken at both ends of the pitch. The on-field umpires have asked the players to walk off the field, as they feel artificial light has taken over natural light. Michael Atherton informs on air that if play cannot be resumed till 6 pm GMT, then that will be Stumps, but we still have some time left to reach that mark. Although it does not look promising whether the light will improve by then.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 248/9 (55.6 overs)

Score after

overs

248 - 9

Gus Atkinson 34 (27)
Josh Tongue 1 (2)

Mohammad Abbas to Gus Atkinson, EDGED AND FOUR! Mohammad Abbas pulls his length back, around off, gets it to shape away. Gus Atkinson steps across to turn this around the corner but gets a leading edge that flies over the slip cordon or a boundary.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 244/9 (55.5 overs)

Mohammad Abbas to Josh Tongue, Pitched up, on middle, shaping in, Josh Tongue tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 243/9 (55.4 overs)

Mohammad Abbas to Josh Tongue, Short of a length but well outside off, shaping away. Josh Tongue lets it go.

Josh Tongue is the last man in.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 243/9 (55.3 overs)

Mohammad Abbas to Jofra Archer, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Mohammad Abbas responds in style. Fuller one and on middle, shaping in a bit. Jofra Archer has a wild slog across the line but goes a bit too hard at it. He loses his shape and misses the ball completely as it goes through to rattle the stumps. Abbas gets his fourth, but can he finish with a fifer here? England are 243/9 now.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 243/8 (55.2 overs)

Mohammad Abbas to Jofra Archer, FOUR! A gift! Low full toss, on the pads. Jofra Archer flicks it away with excellent timing as the ball races to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 239/8 (55.1 overs)

Mohammad Abbas to Gus Atkinson, Good length and on off, Gus Atkinson steps across and knocks it towards mid on for a single.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 238/8 (54.6 overs)

Score after

overs

238 - 8

Jofra Archer 10 (11)
Gus Atkinson 29 (25)

Mohammad Ali to Jofra Archer, A bumper, down the leg side, Jofra Archer ducks under it.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 238/8 (54.5 overs)

Mohammad Ali to Jofra Archer, Pitched up and on middle, angling in, Jofra Archer clips it away through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 236/8 (54.4 overs)

Mohammad Ali to Jofra Archer, Back of a length and on off, nips back in, Jofra Archer blocks it out.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 236/8 (54.3 overs)

Mohammad Ali to Jofra Archer, Touch fuller and around off, shaping away. Jofra Archer has a feel for it and gets beaten on the outside edge.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 236/8 (54.2 overs)

Mohammad Ali to Jofra Archer, Good length and on middle, angling in sharply. Jofra Archer looks to clip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 236/8 (54.1 overs)

Mohammad Ali to Gus Atkinson, Bangs in a bouncer, around leg, Gus Atkinson pulls it away to deep square leg for a single.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 235/8 (53.6 overs)

Score after

overs

235 - 8

Jofra Archer 8 (6)
Gus Atkinson 28 (24)

Mohammad Abbas to Jofra Archer, SIX! SMOKED! Half-volley and on off. Jofra Archer clears his front leg away and tonks it over the long off fence for a biggie.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 229/8 (53.5 overs)

Mohammad Abbas to Jofra Archer, Another full delivery, on middle, shaping into the leg side. Jofra Archer steps a bit too far across and misses his flick.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 229/8 (53.4 overs)

Mohammad Abbas to Gus Atkinson, Full again and on off, Gus Atkinson steps across and clips it towards mid-wicket for a run.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 228/8 (53.3 overs)

Mohammad Abbas to Jofra Archer, Jofra Archer is going to have some fun now! Pitched up, on middle, angling in. Archer has a hoick across the line and gets it from the inside half of the bat towards deep square leg for a single.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 227/8 (53.2 overs)

Mohammad Abbas to Jofra Archer, Touch fuller and on off, Jofra Archer fends it to the off side.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 227/8 (53.1 overs)

Mohammad Abbas to Jofra Archer, Back of a length and around off, shaping away, Jofra Archer offers no shot at it.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 227/8 (52.6 overs)

Score after

overs

227 - 8

Gus Atkinson 27 (23)
Jofra Archer 1 (1)

Mohammad Ali to Gus Atkinson, FOUR! Excellent shot! A half-volley and around off. Gus Atkinson leans onto his drive and creams it through covers for a boundary.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 223/8 (52.5 overs)

Mohammad Ali to Jofra Archer, Risky run! Fuller and on off, shaping in, Jofra Archer fends it down the pitch and holds the pose for a few seconds. He then decides to go for the single and hurries, with Mohammad Abbas trying to kick it at the stumps but misses.

Two in the over for Pakistan. Jofra Archer comes out to the middle.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 222/8 (52.4 overs)

Mohammad Ali to Ollie Robinson, OUT! TIMBER! And again! Mohammad Ali has the nip-backer on a string here. He lands this on a good length and on off, gets it to jag back in enough. Ollie Robinson strides across to defend but plays down the wrong line as the ball goes through and clatters the off pole out of the ground. 222/6 becomes 222/8 for England.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 222/7 (52.3 overs)

Mohammad Ali to Ollie Robinson, Back of a length and on off, Ollie Robinson pats it down to the off side.

Double Nelson strikes for England. Ollie Robinson walks out to bat.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 222/7 (52.2 overs)

Mohammad Ali to Jamie Smith, OUT! CASTLED! Action replay of Harry Brook's dismissal. Mohammad Ali goes fuller and just around off, gets it to shape in sharply. Jamie Smith looks to push it away but gets nowhere near the ball as he does not take into account the big inward movement. The ball goes through the gates and shatters the stumps behind. The set batter goes back, and England are 222/7.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 222/6 (52.1 overs)

Mohammad Ali to Gus Atkinson, Back of a length and around leg, Gus Atkinson flicks it away to deep square leg for a single.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 221/6 (51.6 overs)

Score after

overs

221 - 6

Gus Atkinson 22 (21)
Jamie Smith 61 (79)

Ali Usman to Gus Atkinson, Close! Flatter, full and on middle, angling in and keeping low. Gus Atkinson moves back and just about gets his bat in line to get an inside edge. It zips past the leg stump towards fine leg for three runs.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 218/6 (51.5 overs)

Ali Usman to Gus Atkinson, Arm ball, full and on off, Gus Atkinson strides out to defend but gets an inside edge to short leg.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 218/6 (51.4 overs)

Ali Usman to Gus Atkinson, Slows it up, full and on leg, Gus Atkinson turns it to the leg side.

England vs Pakistan Live Score : 218/6 (51.3 overs)

Ali Usman to Gus Atkinson, Drops it short, on off, Gus Atkinson stays back and keeps it out to the off side.

ENG vs PAK Live: Pakistan will resume Day 2 of the second Test against England with the advantage after a disciplined seam-bowling display reduced the hosts to 248/9 on a weather-hit opening day at Lord’s. Only 56 overs were possible after morning rain delayed the start and bad light brought an early close.

Atkinson's late counter-attack then pushed England towards 250, leaving the visitors with one final wicket to claim when play resumes.

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