London, Aug 30 (V7N) – Veteran Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas finally secured a coveted place on the Lord's honours boards with a five-wicket haul on Sunday, but Pakistan were still set a daunting 389 to win the second Test against England.
Abbas took 5-57 in 22 overs as England were dismissed for 208 in their second innings on the fourth morning, leaving Pakistan with a record chase to level the three-match series at 1-1. Pakistan must surpass the highest fourth-innings total to win a Test at Lord's—the West Indies' 344-1 in 1984, which featured an unbeaten double century from Gordon Greenidge—to achieve an improbable victory.
Cricketers who take at least five wickets in an innings or 10 in a match, or score a century in a Test at Lord's, have their achievements recorded on 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 4-73 during England's first innings.
Having ended the third day with 3-48, Abbas wasted little time reaching the landmark after England resumed on 177-7 under sunny skies. Dan Lawrence, who was exactly 50 not out, added just four runs before he was bowled by a superb seaming delivery from Abbas.
England's 186-8 became 187-9 when a typically skilful ball darted back into Ollie Robinson, with wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan—stood up to the stumps—holding a sharp catch off the outside edge. An elated Abbas was mobbed by his teammates.
England No. 11 Josh Tongue, following his Test-best 30 not out in the first innings, struck two successive boundaries off Mohammad Ali. But the innings ended in unexpected fashion when Pakistan captain Babar Azam, belying the tourists' reputation as a poor fielding side, ran out the sluggish Tongue with a direct hit from the covers.
The omens are not promising for Pakistan, who were dismissed for 171 and 135 in an innings and 103-run thrashing during the first Test at Headingley, and slumped to 110 all out in their first innings at Lord's, although injured opener Imam-ul-Haq was unable to bat. England are looking to go an unassailable 2-0 up in the three-match series.
