Rain frustrates England's bid for Pakistan series win

REUTERS -- England’s push for a series-clinching win over Pakistan was halted by rain on Saturday, with no play before lunch on the third day of the second Test at Lord’s.

Conditions had started to ease, however, with the umpires planning an inspection at 1:15pm local time (5:15pm PKT) provided there was no further rain.

England, bidding to go 2-0 up in a three-match series, are in a commanding position at 81-3 in their second innings. Their overall lead of 261 is more than Pakistan have managed in three completed innings so far this series.

Pakistan have also never scored more than 234 in the fourth innings of any Test against England in England.

The hosts dismissed Pakistan for a meagre 110 on Friday, with seamer Ollie Robinson returning remarkable figures of 4-11 in just 13 overs. Under-pressure England opener Emilio Gay will resume on 30 not out, with Harry Brook unbeaten on seven.

Gay walked out to bat on Friday averaging a lowly 22.50 from his first eight Test innings amid questions over where talented England batsman Jacob Bethell might slot in when he regains fitness.

Brook, meanwhile, is bidding for his first Test century in over a year despite being ranked as the number one batsman in Test cricket.

On Friday, when 13 wickets fell in total, England then slumped to 13-2 in their second innings on a pitch still offering significant seam movement.

However, they recovered to 81-3 — an overall lead of 261 runs — when bad light forced an early close to the second day. The hosts are seeking an unassailable 2-0 lead in a three-match series.

Robinson was well-supported by fast bowler Jofra Archer, who did the initial damage in a return of 3-26, and fellow paceman Josh Tongue, who finished with 2-27 after making a Test-best 30 not out at number 11 earlier on Friday.

Opener Azan Awais top-scored for the tourists with a determined 46, after he was dropped on eight in the slips by Harry Brook.

Saud Shakeel’s 16 was the only other double-figure contribution by a Pakistan batsman.

An innings lasting a mere 37.2 overs ended with Pakistan nine wickets down after opener Imam-ul-Haq was unable to bat following a calf injury suffered when fielding on Thursday.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam got off the mark in style as he belted an 88 mph Tongue delivery through the covers for four before a flashing drive off Atkinson also sped to the boundary.

That was as good as it got for Azam, who missed Pakistan’s crushing innings and 103-run defeat in the first Test at Headingley last week with a finger injury, before he nicked Tongue to a diving Jordan Cox at third slip.