ENG vs PAK 2nd Test Preview: Pakistan Fight for Survival at Lord's

The action now shifts to Lord’s Cricket Ground for the highly anticipated England vs Pakistan 2nd Test, scheduled from August 27 to August 31, 2026. Following England’s commanding victory at Headingley, the three-match Test series moves to Lord’s as England and Pakistan meet in the second Test.

With the visitors needing a win to keep the series alive, Lord’s promises another stern examination against a dominant England side.

ENG vs PAK 1st Test Recap

England made a statement in the opening Test at Headingley, defeating Pakistan by an innings and 103 runs inside just three days.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, England’s four-pronged pace attack exploited the heavy movement in the air and off the surface. Ollie Robinson led the attack with match figures of 8 for 80, while Josh Tongue also claimed eight wickets across the match and Jofra Archer added further pressure.

Pakistan were bowled out for 171 in their first innings and 135 in the second, while England posted 409. Harry Brook top-scored with 91, Jordan Cox impressed with 73 after moving up the order, and Joe Root contributed a composed 66.

Pakistan’s Ali Usman provided one of the few positives for the visitors, claiming a five-wicket haul to give his side a rare moment of control.

England vs Pakistan 2nd Test Preview

Pakistan face a must-win contest if they are to keep the three-match series alive before the final Test at Edgbaston. However, England will enter the match full of confidence after their emphatic Headingley victory and an impressive recent home record against Pakistan.

Lord’s could once again bring the seamers into the game. Recent matches at the iconic venue have produced significant lateral movement and inconsistent bounce, while a surface resembling the green top used earlier this summer against New Zealand could make life extremely difficult for Pakistan’s batting lineup.

Pakistan, meanwhile, need a major improvement with both bat and ball. Babar Azam remains a serious doubt as he continues his recovery from a finger injury, leaving Pakistan’s batting unit needing greater technical discipline against England’s pace attack and the moving Duke ball.

ENG vs PAK 2nd Test Predicted Playing XIs

England Predicted XI

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

Pakistan Predicted XI

Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Ali Usman

Key Player Battles

Joe Root vs Ali Usman

Joe Root anchored England’s batting effort with a composed 66 at Headingley, but Ali Usman emerged as Pakistan’s most effective bowling threat with a five-wicket haul. His slow left-arm orthodox spin could become increasingly important if the Lord’s surface begins to wear.

Abdullah Shafique vs Ollie Robinson

Abdullah Shafique showed resistance with a top score of 61 in the first Test, but Ollie Robinson repeatedly troubled Pakistan’s batting lineup. After his match-winning performance at Headingley, Robinson will look to exploit the bounce and movement at Lord’s against Shafique’s front-foot defense.

Watch ENG vs PAK 2nd Test Live on tapmad

Catch every ball of the ENG vs PAK 2nd Test live on tapmad. Stream the match in real time and follow all the action from Lord’s as Pakistan fight to keep the series alive and England look to move one step closer to a 3-0 series sweep.

Also read: Where to watch ENG vs PAK