Last-wicket duo take England to 290 all out in 2nd Test against Pakistan

REUTERS -- England No 11 Josh Tongue frustrated Pakistan with a Test-best 30 not out before the hosts were dismissed for 290 in their first innings on the second day of the second Test at Lord’s on Friday.

Gus Atkinson, who has a Test century at Lord’s to his credit, was last man out for a near run-a-ball 45 after adding 47 for the tenth wicket with fellow paceman Tongue.

Mohammad Abbas led Pakistan’s attack with 4-73 in 20 overs.

England had been in dire straits at 36-3 on Thursday, with veteran seamer Abbas taking three wickets for four runs in 16 balls after Pakistan won the toss.

But fifties from Jamie Smith (61) and Jordan Cox (55) helped England recover to 248-9 when bad light ended play for the day.

The match resumed Friday beneath sunny skies with Atkinson 34 not out and Tongue unbeaten on one.

Tongue, belying his status as a tailender, expertly glanced Mohammad Ali for four down to fine leg and drilled Abbas through the covers for another boundary.

Pakistan turned to left-arm spinner Ali Usman in the hope of ending the stubborn stand.

Atkinson drove his third ball for a four through long-on but holed out off the next to end a 46-ball innings featuring six fours.

Tongue’s undefeated 30, off 48 balls including four boundaries, surpassed his previous highest Test score of 19 against Australia at Lord’s three years ago.

Friday’s runs were all the more valuable given Pakistan had been dismissed for just 171 and 135 as England won last week’s first Test at Headingley by the huge margin of an innings and 103 runs.

Pakistan, however, were buoyed at Lord’s by the return of captain Babar Azam after the experienced batsman missed the first of a three-match series with a finger injury.

But opener Imam-ul-Haq continued to be off the field on Friday because of a left calf muscle strain suffered while fielding Thursday.

Shan Masood opened in Imam’s place alongside Azan Awais when Pakistan began their reply.