0
2
1
3
1
0
= 7
Match Details
ENG vs PAK, 2nd TEST, PAK vs ENG 2026 summary
PAK 110(37.2)
194-10(50.5)
England won by 194 runs 🏆
290(66.4)
ENG
(54.2)208-10
+
P'ship : 0(0)
Commentary
All
Highlights
Overs
W
6s
4s
Inn 1
Inn 2
Inn 3
Inn 4
Milestone
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of our scorer, Zeeshan Naiyer. We will meet again. Until then, it's cheers!
Pakistan, on the other hand, have been poor with the bat and have looked like a fish out of water. They need to figure out something quickly to avoid a whitewash at Edgbaston, where the third and final Test of the series takes place on September 9th.
England have dominated Pakistan in each facet of the game, not only in this Test, but also in the series. They won the series opener at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs, and today, at Lord's, they cruised home with a 194-run victory to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Jame Smith (England): "[How are your fingers?] Ah, they are a little bit sore at the moment.
[How much of standing up to the stumps have you done to the seamers?] Yeah, it a very new and fresh sort of thing. It seems the common trend if you like at the moment is keeper's coming up to the stumps to medium fast bowlers. So, I don't have a lot of experience. I did little at Trent Bridge in the last series. As time has gone, it is getting a little bit more comfortable.
[What works for him being up to the stumps?] Yeah, I think Root has spoken it at length about Sarah Taylor who has been very good in helping me to just try and stay as still as possible. It is not always the easiest. I think, if you look at where I was at Trent Bridge, I was moving around and I was not necessarily as comfortable as I am now. Trying and staying as still as possible is a big thing. Sometimes you might not get in the best positions, but you just try and stay as still as you can to catch it.
[Any additional protection in the hands?] No, I have got a couple of slightly dodgy fingers, little fingers to mask them. The gap that Stewy has been on me about trying to get it split and things that he used back in the day. It's just that you have to accept that there are going to be these little things. It is actually quite enjoyable as well. It is bringing us a little bit of success as well which is obviously the main thing.
[Is it good doing drills with a tennis ball?] Yeah, as you said saving your hands is crucial if you have to do it in a Test match for over 5 days and then across the series. It is mightily important. It is easy to replicate I guess the speed that you can have without obviously damaging your hands. I sort of like it a little like as you are batting and facing bouncers, a lot of people use yellow balls to replicate the high speeds, but you are not throwing the cricket ball and potentially damaging you further.
[Does he have a conversation with Ollie Robinson about coming up to the stumps? Or is it his own call?] I think that it is a bit of both. When we sort of first walked into maybe Lord's in the first Test against New Zealand, I would I say I was a little more apprehensive at the time. It was more led by if Robinson wants, I'll need to be up to the stumps to help him take a wicket. That was the best cause to go at the time. Stokes would be saying to come up. I feel now there is bit more confidence from both sides. From him bowling, he's a bit more comfortable with me coming up. He probably has not too much exposure of a keeper standing up to him. So, it is the same for both of us. We have a better understanding on when to come up and when to not.
[Is it easier to judge DRS calls standing behind?] Yeah, we sort of had this conversation today actually. At times it feels slightly easier. It is again on how far across people are moving. We found at times that because it is keeping people in their crease, it is slightly easier to say that it is pretty close to go upstairs.
[On appreciating Rizwan's work behind the stumps] Absolutely, I think he was superb being up to the stumps. As you said, the trend now seems to be the keeper's being up to the stumps for a high majority of the time and for a longer period than you would expect. I think you have to appreciate the level of skill we have already seen from the short time we have had and I am sure it is going to continue.
[How much of standing up to the stumps have you done to the seamers?] Yeah, it a very new and fresh sort of thing. It seems the common trend if you like at the moment is keeper's coming up to the stumps to medium fast bowlers. So, I don't have a lot of experience. I did little at Trent Bridge in the last series. As time has gone, it is getting a little bit more comfortable.
[What works for him being up to the stumps?] Yeah, I think Root has spoken it at length about Sarah Taylor who has been very good in helping me to just try and stay as still as possible. It is not always the easiest. I think, if you look at where I was at Trent Bridge, I was moving around and I was not necessarily as comfortable as I am now. Trying and staying as still as possible is a big thing. Sometimes you might not get in the best positions, but you just try and stay as still as you can to catch it.
[Any additional protection in the hands?] No, I have got a couple of slightly dodgy fingers, little fingers to mask them. The gap that Stewy has been on me about trying to get it split and things that he used back in the day. It's just that you have to accept that there are going to be these little things. It is actually quite enjoyable as well. It is bringing us a little bit of success as well which is obviously the main thing.
[Is it good doing drills with a tennis ball?] Yeah, as you said saving your hands is crucial if you have to do it in a Test match for over 5 days and then across the series. It is mightily important. It is easy to replicate I guess the speed that you can have without obviously damaging your hands. I sort of like it a little like as you are batting and facing bouncers, a lot of people use yellow balls to replicate the high speeds, but you are not throwing the cricket ball and potentially damaging you further.
[Does he have a conversation with Ollie Robinson about coming up to the stumps? Or is it his own call?] I think that it is a bit of both. When we sort of first walked into maybe Lord's in the first Test against New Zealand, I would I say I was a little more apprehensive at the time. It was more led by if Robinson wants, I'll need to be up to the stumps to help him take a wicket. That was the best cause to go at the time. Stokes would be saying to come up. I feel now there is bit more confidence from both sides. From him bowling, he's a bit more comfortable with me coming up. He probably has not too much exposure of a keeper standing up to him. So, it is the same for both of us. We have a better understanding on when to come up and when to not.
[Is it easier to judge DRS calls standing behind?] Yeah, we sort of had this conversation today actually. At times it feels slightly easier. It is again on how far across people are moving. We found at times that because it is keeping people in their crease, it is slightly easier to say that it is pretty close to go upstairs.
[On appreciating Rizwan's work behind the stumps] Absolutely, I think he was superb being up to the stumps. As you said, the trend now seems to be the keeper's being up to the stumps for a high majority of the time and for a longer period than you would expect. I think you have to appreciate the level of skill we have already seen from the short time we have had and I am sure it is going to continue.
Joe Root [England Captain]: "[Big smile on your face. Start with the series win. That must have felt good?] It does feel good and I guess the way that we’ve done it as well, I think it’s been pretty convincing. The guys have played some really good cricket in some difficult conditions, especially with the bat. I think the guys have adapted really well to what’s been thrown at them. They’ve found a really good tempo on different surfaces and managed to get some really good scores in the conditions that we’ve had. Then the bowling group, I mean, three guys that can bowl 90 miles an hour and Ollie Robinson, who looks horrendous in these conditions. So they complement each other really nicely. They’re growing all the time. The more games that we get together, the more times that we spend out there on the field, the more we’ll learn about each other and how that looks, how that works, for me as captain, for them as players. So a lot of really good stuff and a lot of really good stuff to take to Edgbaston as well.
[Highlight your batting performance as a team, especially when there were periods when things were challenging in the course of this Test] I think regardless of the conditions, when you find yourself 80 for 4, the mentality and the way that the guys approached the back half of that innings and getting us to the score that we did was outstanding. Some brilliant partnerships there, and Dan Lawrence in particular and Emilio Gay yesterday; I thought two very different ways of going about it, but very significant runs for us and put us in a really strong position. The amount of runs there was always going to be tricky on that surface for them to chase down, and with the bowlers bowling the way they are and the conditions being as they are, that was enough for us. So brilliant to see those guys coming in, Cox as well backing up a brilliant start at Headingley. A lot of really good things to build on, and nice way obviously to start this series.
[Confident and a complete performance. Anything he wants to see more of in the final Test match?] I think more of the same and again, regardless of what the conditions are, making sure that we try and find the right method that’s going to suit that, whether it be with bat, with ball, understanding what’s required of us and being skilful enough to execute it. If we can keep adapting and evolving to those challenges, then we’re going to be a pretty hard team to break down."
[Highlight your batting performance as a team, especially when there were periods when things were challenging in the course of this Test] I think regardless of the conditions, when you find yourself 80 for 4, the mentality and the way that the guys approached the back half of that innings and getting us to the score that we did was outstanding. Some brilliant partnerships there, and Dan Lawrence in particular and Emilio Gay yesterday; I thought two very different ways of going about it, but very significant runs for us and put us in a really strong position. The amount of runs there was always going to be tricky on that surface for them to chase down, and with the bowlers bowling the way they are and the conditions being as they are, that was enough for us. So brilliant to see those guys coming in, Cox as well backing up a brilliant start at Headingley. A lot of really good things to build on, and nice way obviously to start this series.
[Confident and a complete performance. Anything he wants to see more of in the final Test match?] I think more of the same and again, regardless of what the conditions are, making sure that we try and find the right method that’s going to suit that, whether it be with bat, with ball, understanding what’s required of us and being skilful enough to execute it. If we can keep adapting and evolving to those challenges, then we’re going to be a pretty hard team to break down."
Babar Azam [Pakistan Captain]: "[How do you reflect on Pakistan’s performance in the Test match?] I think we won the toss and then we are bowling first, so we are trying to utilise the conditions because of overcast. So we utilised it, and we took early wickets, and I think we restricted them to 290. Then in the batting, we are not up to the mark. Then in the second innings again we were bowling, and I think the way Abbas bowling, outstanding spell and took five wickets and then batting again collapsed. So I think the way Saud playing, he’s showing class and dedication and determination.
[England were 80 for 4 at lunch on day 1. Would he do anything to change moving forward either with the ball at that time or with the bat on day 2?] To be honest, no. We just follow our plans and just even both sides, bowling and batting, we just follow our plans and build a partnership on both sides. But unfortunately they have built a partnership in the batting. I think all credit to England batters.
[On Mohammad Abbas' performance and his entry onto the Honours Board] Yeah, wonderful. As a team, wonderful. Abbas at Lord’s, especially to take five wickets, I think it’s a memorable moment for him.
[Series is gone. What improvements will they do for the final Test at Edgbaston?] To be honest, we’re trying to do our best more on both sides, batting and bowling, because we have an opportunity, but we did not grab it properly. We just sniff a little bit in the batting and bowling, so we’re trying to do better in last match."
[England were 80 for 4 at lunch on day 1. Would he do anything to change moving forward either with the ball at that time or with the bat on day 2?] To be honest, no. We just follow our plans and just even both sides, bowling and batting, we just follow our plans and build a partnership on both sides. But unfortunately they have built a partnership in the batting. I think all credit to England batters.
[On Mohammad Abbas' performance and his entry onto the Honours Board] Yeah, wonderful. As a team, wonderful. Abbas at Lord’s, especially to take five wickets, I think it’s a memorable moment for him.
[Series is gone. What improvements will they do for the final Test at Edgbaston?] To be honest, we’re trying to do our best more on both sides, batting and bowling, because we have an opportunity, but we did not grab it properly. We just sniff a little bit in the batting and bowling, so we’re trying to do better in last match."
CONSISTENCY: Ollie Robinson has played three Tests this summer and has won the POTM award in all of them!
Ollie Robinson [POTM]: "[What's about this ground that you enjoy?] I think the slope always has something to offer; even when it goes a little bit flatter, I think you’ve still got a little bit there with the slope, and the pitch is quite helpful this week. For me, it was a great pitch just to keep stumps in play and nibble it either way, and it’s just nice to contribute to a win.
[On the habit of picking up Player of the Match awards. What is key for his good form?] I think the consistency. I think I’ve had a few starts, a few injuries, playing back-to-back Tests this time again. It’s nice that the body’s come through it well. I’ve just tried to hone in my skills really, be as consistent as possible. It helps when you’ve got three guys that bowl 90 mph as well. It allows me just to settle into the rhythm, dot up and then build that pressure and together, the four-man attack we’ve got, I think it’s going to be very successful.
[With 3 other fast bowlers bowling quick and doing the heavy lifting. He has the accuracy and skills. Does his role change much? No, I don’t think so. I think, if anything, it allows me to be a bit more defensive, if anything, and just hold and not have to try and punch through the batters. I can just hold and be very patient, and Jofra and the guys bowl rapid and sort of just break the up with the other end. It’s quite a nice pairing to open the bowling with someone who bowls 90 mph and swings it the other way to me. So long may it continue."
[On the habit of picking up Player of the Match awards. What is key for his good form?] I think the consistency. I think I’ve had a few starts, a few injuries, playing back-to-back Tests this time again. It’s nice that the body’s come through it well. I’ve just tried to hone in my skills really, be as consistent as possible. It helps when you’ve got three guys that bowl 90 mph as well. It allows me just to settle into the rhythm, dot up and then build that pressure and together, the four-man attack we’ve got, I think it’s going to be very successful.
[With 3 other fast bowlers bowling quick and doing the heavy lifting. He has the accuracy and skills. Does his role change much? No, I don’t think so. I think, if anything, it allows me to be a bit more defensive, if anything, and just hold and not have to try and punch through the batters. I can just hold and be very patient, and Jofra and the guys bowl rapid and sort of just break the up with the other end. It’s quite a nice pairing to open the bowling with someone who bowls 90 mph and swings it the other way to me. So long may it continue."
Player of the Match: Ollie Robinson [Match Figures: 27-11-35-8]
JAW-DROPPING🤯 NUMBERS:
Pakistan now has more defeats than wins in Tests. They have won 153 Tests and lost 154, while this was their 473rd Test appearance. Previously, they had such numbers after the Oval Test against England in 1987. Then they won 39 and lost 40 of their 170 Tests.
Pakistan now has more defeats than wins in Tests. They have won 153 Tests and lost 154, while this was their 473rd Test appearance. Previously, they had such numbers after the Oval Test against England in 1987. Then they won 39 and lost 40 of their 170 Tests.
Commentary