LONDON: The toss for the second Test between Pakistan and England at Lord’s was delayed on Thursday as adverse weather disrupted the start of play.
Both teams remained on standby as officials waited for conditions to improve.
Pakistan enter the match under pressure after a heavy defeat in the series opener at Headingley. England won the first Test by an innings and 103 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Pakistan are also set to welcome back captain Babar Azam after he missed the opening Test with a finger injury.
Babar is expected to return to the playing XI after taking part in two practice sessions in the nets over the past two days. He said he was confident of playing despite not being fully fit.
“I’m 90 per cent fit for the match tomorrow,” Babar told reporters at a pre-match press conference at Lord’s.
The 31-year-old sustained the injury when he was struck on the glove during a warm-up match. He had already suffered a finger problem during Pakistan’s recent tour of the West Indies.
His return could strengthen a Pakistan batting lineup that struggled badly at Headingley. Pakistan were bowled out for 171 in their first innings before collapsing to 135 in the second.
Babar said the team had reviewed its performance and was determined to respond at Lord’s.
“We were not playing up to our mark,” he said, while praising England for their dominant display.
If Babar returns at No. 4, Azan Awais could make way from the XI. Shan Masood or Abdullah Shafique could also move up the order to open.
Babar brings valuable experience of playing Test cricket in England. He has scored three half-centuries in six Test innings in the country and averages 65.75.
He also led Pakistan’s batting during the recent two-Test series in the West Indies, scoring 193 runs in a drawn series.
The captain said leading Pakistan at Lord’s was a privilege and vowed to make an impact with both bat and in the field.
Pakistan could also alter their bowling attack after failing to contain England’s batsmen in the opening Test.
Fast bowler Ubaid Shah, 20, is among those under consideration. His inclusion could bring additional pace to the attack and leave Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali competing for one place.
Mohammad Abbas was Pakistan’s most reliable fast bowler at Headingley. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman also enters the match with confidence after taking his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
England, meanwhile, will seek to build on their commanding victory and strengthen their grip on the series.
Also Read: Pak vs Eng 2nd Test: Pakistan Face England at Lord’s as 90% Fit Babar Azam Returns
Pakistan must produce a vastly improved batting performance to keep the three-Test contest alive. A second successive defeat would leave England 2-0 ahead and unable to lose the series.
For now, however, the weather remains the immediate concern at Lord’s. The toss will take place once conditions allow, with both teams waiting to begin a crucial second chapter of the series.
