Robinson, Tongue guide England to series win

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LONDON: England whipped Pakistan by 194 runs in the second Test at Lord’s to take 2-0 unassailable lead in the three-match Test series on Sunday.

This was also England’s first home Test series victory in two years as they skittled Pakistan out for 194 while chasing 389.

Pakistan once again failed miserably with the bat against English pace-attack. They were reduced to 14-3 before lunch but Saud Shakeel provided enough resistance with an excellent 97 which carried 13 fours and two sixes.

At tea Pakistan had five down but England pacers did not take much time after the break to take the remaining four wickets. Imam-ul-Haq did not bat again due to calf strain.

Ollie Robinson was Pakistan’s chief tormentor again as he took four wickets for 24 to go with the four for 11 he bagged in the first innings, taking his two-match tally to 16.

He was ably backed by Josh Tongue with three for 46, for match figures of 5-73. Jofra Archer got 2-73, for match-tally of 5-99.

Robinson had a fine start as he took two wickets in four balls before express fast bowler Jofra Archer dismissed Pakistan captain Babar Azam (6) to leave the tourists 14-3 in their second innings.

Pakistan recovered to 53-3 at lunch on the fourth day but that still left them needing a further 336 runs to reach an improbable victory target of 389.

Robinson had interval figures of 2-13 in seven overs following his remarkable return of 4-11 in 13 during Pakistan’s meagre first-innings 110 all out.

With Imam-ul-Haq, unable to bat because of a calf strain, Pakistan looked to Shan Masood and Azan Awais to see off the new ball on a still seam-friendly pitch.

Awais (6), however, was lbw to Robinson and, three balls later, Abdullah Shafique was clean bowled for a duck by an almost unplayable delivery from the Sussex captain that angled in and moved away late to knock over the off-stump.

Archer, who plays under Robinson at Sussex, then bowled a brute of a bouncer that Babar Azam, attempting a pull, flapped at, with the ball looping to Jordan Cox at second slip.

Shan Masood (26) then stiched a 97-run fourth-wicket partnership with Saud to give little bit of relief to the Pakistani camp. However Robinson removed both Shan and Mohammad Rizwan (1) in quick succession to leave Pakistan reeling at 115-5. Ali Usman then provided some support to Saud as the duo added 31 runs for the sixth wicket. However at this Jofra Archer got rid of Usman before Josh Tongue getting the prized scalp of Saud to put the hosts on the brink of victory.

Tongue continued to hand blows to Pakistan when he dislodged Khurram Shahzad (9) and Mohamamd Ali (8) in quick succession to fold Pakistan’s innings.

Earlier, veteran Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas finally achieved a coveted place on the Lord’s honours boards with a return of 5-57 as England were dismissed for 208.

Cricketers who take at least five wickets in an innings or ten in a match or score a century in a Test at Lord’s have their feats recorded on one of the honours boards in the home and away dressing rooms at the ‘Home of Cricket’.

Abbas, 36, had come close before with a trio of four-wicket hauls, including a return of 4-73 during England’s first-innings 290 in this match.

But having ended a third day cut short by rain and bad light with 3-48, Abbas wasted little time in reaching the landmark.

Dan Lawrence had added just four runs to his overnight 50 not out when he was bowled by Abbas.

England’s 186-8 became 187-9 when a typically skilful 79 mph (127 kmh) Abbas ball darted back into Robinson, with wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan stood up to the stumps holding a sharp catch off the outside edge, before the elated bowler was mobbed by his teammates.

England’s innings ended in unexpected fashion when Azam, belying Pakistan’s reputation as a poor fielding side, ran out sluggish No 11 Josh Tongue with a direct hit from the covers.