England take quick Pakistan wickets after being bowled out for 290

England secured a commanding position in the second Test against Pakistan at Lord's by dismissing their opponents for 110 on Friday, following an opening day score of 290. Despite rain forecast for the third day, England, who reached 81-3 in their second innings, appeared poised to claim their first home test series victory over Pakistan in two years.

The tail end partnership of Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson extended England's first innings to 290, after a sluggish start when Mohammad Abbas claimed early wickets. Pakistan's batting woes were worsened by the absence of opener Imam-ul-Haq, who injured his calf earlier in the day.

England's metronomic pace attack, spearheaded by Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer, left Pakistan struggling. Robinson's incredible figures of four wickets for 11 runs from 13 overs and Archer's three wickets for 26 contributed significantly to the clean sweep. Even with some evening cheer for Pakistan, as Khurram Shahzad took two early wickets, the damage had already been done by the time bad light curtailed play.

While Tongue's unbeaten 30 and Atkinson's 45 offered some consolation, it was England's pace attack that left Pakistan's batting line-up demoralized. Archer emphasized the potency of the four-man pace attack, stating, "You've got to hang in there on a day like this because when (wickets) do come, they come in buckets."

Opener Azan Awais offered some resistance with 46 before falling to the relentless bowling of Robinson. Tongue turned the tables as a batter, dismissing Abdullah Shafique and further dismantling Pakistan's innings. As the match progressed, Pakistan's last few wickets fell quickly, leaving them on 104-6 with only a few overs to spare.