Five-wicket Abbas has Lord's landmark as Pakistan set 389 to win second Test

London witnessed Mohammad Abbas finally earn his spot on Lord’s honor boards with a remarkable five-wicket haul, ensuring Pakistan faced a challenging 389-run target to secure victory in the second Test against England. Veteran seamer Abbas took 5-57 from 22 overs during England's second innings, which was reduced to 208 after the fourth morning.

With England aiming for an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, Pakistan now need to set a record to achieve an improbable win. The highest fourth-innings total to win a Test at Lord’s is 344-1 by the West Indies in 1984, featuring a double century from Gordon Greenidge. Ominously, Pakistan slumped to 171 and 135 in the first Test at Headingley, followed by a 110 all out in their first innings at Lord’s, though injured opener Imam-ul-Haq couldn't bat.

To record their achievements, cricketers must achieve at least five wickets in an innings, 10 in a match, or score a century in a Test at Lord’s. Abbas, 36, had come close before with three four-wicket hauls, including a 4-73 return during England's first innings of 290. After the match was cut short by rain and bad light, Abbas wasted no time in reaching the landmark after England resumed at 177-7.

Dan Lawrence managed 50 not out, followed by Abbas' exceptional seaming delivery that took Dan for four, forcing wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan to hold a sharp catch off the outside edge. Abbas' elation was shared by his teammates as England's 186-8 became 187-9. Josh Tongue, England's 11th man, responded with a 79 mph (127 kmh) ball that darted back to Robinson, taking a sharp catch off the outside edge.

Abass' team-mates mobbed the jubilant Abbas, as Pakistan captain Babar Azam ran out the sluggish Tongue with a direct hit from the covers.