Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali exploited overcast conditions at Lord's as Pakistan reduced England to 248-9 on a rain-affected opening day of the second Test. Play started at 12.20pm after a deluge, and England slumped to 3-36 inside 10.3 overs after Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl. Captain Joe Root fell for four to Abbas, who also removed Ben Duckett (17) and Emilio Gay (8) to finish with 4-56. Ali claimed 3-67, including three sharp 'nip-backers' to dismiss Harry Brook (15), Jamie Smith (61), and Ollie Robinson (0).

Pakistan, with Babar Azam back in the side, showed marked improvement from their innings defeat at Headingley, though fielding lapses persisted as Mohammad Rizwan and the slip cordon stood too deep, grassing several chances. England rallied as conditions brightened: Jordan Cox hit a second consecutive half-century (55) and Smith reached fifty after a lean spell. "I was trying to ride the wave a little bit," Smith told Sky Sports. "Once I found the middle of the bat, it was slightly different to how I usually play."

Gus Atkinson (34*) and Josh Tongue (1*) will resume on Friday after bad light ended play at 6.10pm.