LONDON, England: England have set Pakistan a monumental 389-run target on a pulsating fourth day at Lord’s, leaving the visitors’ hopes hanging by a thread after a disastrous start to their run chase.
With the iconic ground buzzing under overcast skies, the home side was bowled out for 208 in 54.2 overs, extending their overall lead to nearly 400.
However, the psychological blow came when Pakistan, facing the ultimate test of character, slumped to 45/3 in their second innings, with skipper Babar Azam (6) falling cheaply to leave the chase in tatters.
We set Pakistan 389 to win 🏏
Over to our bowlers! 💪
Match Centre: https://t.co/Z9bsIoMyb6 pic.twitter.com/qCDeTs7BJr
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 30, 2026
Shan Masood (14) and Saud Shakeel (16) are now the last recognised pair at the crease, fighting a desperate rearguard action to salvage a draw against an inspired English attack. The sight of Babar walking back to the pavilion sent shockwaves through the visiting dressing room, as the mountain to climb grew insurmountably steep.
The morning collapse
Resuming their overnight score of 177/7, England’s lower order offered only fleeting resistance. Dan Lawrence, who had shown admirable grit the previous evening, was the first to depart for a well-crafted 54 off 70 deliveries, an innings that included seven fours and two sixes, but lacked the support needed to push the lead beyond 400.
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The day belonged unequivocally to Pakistan’s veteran paceman, Mohammad Abbas, who produced a masterclass in line-and-length bowling. Abbas claimed his fifth wicket of the innings by clean-bowling Ollie Robinson for 8, finishing with stunning figures of 5/57 from 22 relentless overs.
A moment of sloppiness from wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, who mis-fielded to gift England an extra boundary, allowed the hosts to limp past the 200-run mark. However, the innings was abruptly halted when Josh Tongue (12) was caught short of his crease by a brilliant direct hit from Babar Azam, ending the home side’s stay.
BABAR AZAM HITS BULLSEYE…!!! 🥶
– England bowled out for 208 runs at the Home of Cricket, Lord’s.
– Pakistan needs 389 runs to win the test match. Come on, let’s at least fight for it, In Shaa Allah. 🇵🇰❤️ pic.twitter.com/RMXGQXTMod
— Rayham. (@RayhamUnplugged) August 30, 2026
England’s first-innings dominance revisited
England’s commanding position was built on the back of a resilient first-innings recovery. After being reduced to 243/9, a sensational 47-run last-wicket stand between Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson dragged the total to 290. Jamie Smith top-scored with a fluent 61, while Jordan Cox contributed 55, but it was the tail’s defiance that turned the tide.
Abbas takes five in the second innings as Pakistan have been set a target of 389 🏏#ENGvPAK | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/jcKhwBBahR
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 30, 2026
In reply, Pakistan’s batting imploded spectacularly, bowled out for a paltry 110. Ollie Robinson was the architect of the destruction, claiming 4/11, while Jofra Archer tore through the middle order with three wickets. Opening batter Azan Awais (46) was the sole batsman to offer resistance, as the visitors crumbled under the pressure of the new ball on a green-tinged wicket.
– Robinson gets Awais.
– Robinson gets Shafique.
– Jofra Archer gets Babar Azam.Pakistan are in big trouble at 18-3 in run chase of 389 v England. pic.twitter.com/vjlBSBfyYr
— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) August 30, 2026
With weather interruptions forecast for the fourth and also on final day, Pakistan’s hopes of a draw now rest entirely on Masood and Shakeel. They face an impossible equation: bat out nearly 90 overs to save the Test, or risk a humiliating defeat.
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With Abbas having done his part with the ball, the batsmen must now summon a miracle to deny England a 2-0 series lead.
