England's Ollie Robinson, right, celebrates with teammates the dismissal of Pakistan's Shan Masood. (AP Photo)
England completed an emphatic 194-run victory over Pakistan at Lord’s on Sunday, wrapping up the second Test inside four days to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The result also ended England’s wait for a Test series victory, with their previous series win coming in December 2024. Set a daunting 389 for victory, Pakistan were bowled out for 194 around 45 minutes after tea, continuing a miserable batting campaign in which they have failed to reach 200 even once in the series. England needed only 18 wickets to win the Test after Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq was ruled out of the remainder of the match after tearing his left calf on the opening day. The third and final Test will be played in Birmingham from September 9, but the series result is already beyond Pakistan’s reach.
Robinson, Archer and Tongue break Pakistan
Ollie Robinson was the standout performer for England, producing another superb spell of seam bowling to finish with eight wickets in the match. He took 4/24 on Sunday and ended with remarkable match figures of 8/35, repeatedly troubling Pakistan's batters with his control and movement. Jofra Archer (2/73) also played a key role, combining his raw pace with Robinson's skill and making an important contribution to Pakistan's collapse. Josh Tongue completed the demolition job with three wickets as England cleaned up the tail. Pakistan had begun the fourth day at 14/3 and needed something extraordinary to stay alive in the chase. Saud Shakeel provided it for a while, producing the most substantial innings by a Pakistan batter in the series. Shakeel and Shan Masood put together a stubborn 97-run partnership that frustrated England for almost four hours. Shakeel eventually fell for 97, caught on the boundary while attempting to reach his century, ending the highest individual score by either side in the series.
Shakeel's resistance not enough
Shakeel had taken the attack to England after lunch, reaching his half-century from 54 balls before continuing to counterattack against the pace attack. He appeared increasingly comfortable against the short ball and began taking risks with the tailenders for company. Masood, who scored 26, concentrated on occupying the crease during their partnership, while Shakeel provided most of the attacking strokes. Their resistance finally ended when Robinson returned with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith standing up to the stumps.
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Masood was initially given not out after missing an inswinger, but England reviewed the decision and secured the lbw verdict. Robinson then removed Mohammad Rizwan for one to claim his 99th Test wicket before Josh Tongue and the rest of the attack finished the innings. Shakeel's dismissal for 97 summed up Pakistan's batting problems: he had shown the application and skill required to resist England, but there was virtually no support around him.
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With Imam unable to bat again, Pakistan's hopes disappeared completely. England's bowlers needed little time to wrap up the tail, triggering celebrations and handshakes at Lord's. The victory gives England an unassailable series lead with one Test still to play, while Pakistan must now regroup before the final match in Birmingham on September 9. For England, it was a statement win and their first Test series triumph since December 2024.
