PAK vs ENG: Pakistan elect to field as Babar returns for second Test at Lord’s

WEB DESK: Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first against England in the second Test at Lord’s on Thursday, with captain Babar Azam returning to the playing XI.

Babar, who missed the first Test due to a finger injury, said Pakistan opted to bowl because of the overcast conditions and grass on the pitch.

Pakistan will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing performance in the series opener at Headingley, where England secured a dominant innings-and-103-run victory inside three days on August 21.

England currently lead the three-match series 1-0, while Pakistan will aim to level the series at Lord’s and force a decider.

In Joe Root’s first Test back as full-time captain, England posted 409 in their first innings thanks to a clinical bowling and batting display, while bundling Pakistan out for 171 and 135 as seamers like Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue dominated the attack.

With this dominant performance, England took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The Lord’s Test is scheduled for August 27-31, while the third and final Test will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham from September 9-13.

Pakistan have historically enjoyed considerable success at Lord’s, winning five Tests at the venue, including victories in 1982, 1992, 1996, 2016 and 2018. The team will be hoping that the return of Babar and possible changes to the playing XI can help revive its fortunes in the second Test.

Playing XI for Test Two

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Abbas.

England: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (c), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (wk), Ollie Robinson, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.