In the rain-affected second Test at Lord’s on Thursday, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to field first. Azam, who had missed the previous match due to a finger injury, expressed his readiness to lead the team once again after a significant defeat of an innings and 103 runs in the series opener at Headingley.
“We opted to bowl first because of the weather conditions,” stated the 31-year-old Azam. “The pitch is still covered in grass, which might assist the bowlers. I’m fully fit now and ready to contribute. It’s always a privilege to play at Lord’s, particularly for me as captain.”
Babar’s return marked the only change in the Pakistani lineup, as he replaced the temporary captain Salman Ali Agha. On the other side, England’s skipper Joe Root, buoyed by his team’s convincing victory in the first Test, acknowledged the pitch’s difference from their last encounter at the venue.
“Had we won the toss, we might have chosen to bowl as well, but this pitch looks quite different from before,” Root commented. With England leading the three-match series 1-0, they maintained their lineup after securing only their third win in the last 11 Tests.
Reflecting on the previous match, Root noted the team’s composure and adaptability during crucial moments, stating, “While it wasn’t flawless, it served as a great model for how we should play, and I’d love to see us replicate that performance this week.”
A victory for England at Lord’s would mark their first Test series triumph since their win over New Zealand in 2024. The team is currently grappling with various off-field issues, including a recent incident involving fast bowler Brydon Carse, who was dropped from the squad following an assault allegation that led to his temporary detainment by Derbyshire Police.
The Pakistan team lineup includes Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (captain), Saud Shakeel, and Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), along with bowlers Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, and Mohammad Abbas. England’s squad features Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (captain), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, and Josh Tongue.
