Rain-soaked start at Lord’s as Pakistan bowls first against England in 2nd test

LONDON (AP) — England's test against Pakistan at Lord's began late on Thursday due to heavy morning rain, with play delayed by 80 minutes. Pakistan won the toss and fielded first under cloudy conditions, quickly capitalizing by taking three early wickets, including Joe Root. Half-centuries from Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith helped England reach 248-9 before bad light ended the first day prematurely, with only 56 overs bowled.

Pakistan's captain Babar Azam, who had recovered from a finger injury, was the only change to his team, which had previously lost the first test in Leeds to England by an innings. The match saw three costly dropped catches by Pakistan, including one by Mohammad Rizwan and another by Salman Ali Agha, who also made a spectacular one-handed diving catch to dismiss Emilio Gay.

Pace bowler Mohammad Abbas took the first three wickets in the morning but was unable to build on his performance in the afternoon, returning to take Jofra Archer.