Abbas, Ali Land Blows for Pakistan on Seam-Bowling Day at Lord’s

Pakistan’s seamers bossed the opening day at Lord’s, rolling England for 248 for 8 before bad light shut things down early on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Jordan Cox is 55 not out, Jamie Smith 61. That pair kept the innings afloat.

Mohammad Abbas led the charge with 4 for 56. Mohammad Ali backed him up with 3 for 67. Overhead clouds and a green pitch gave the tourists exactly what they wanted, and they grabbed control from the first over.

Abbas Reaches 900 First-Class Wickets in Milestone Spell

The biggest stat of the day? Abbas touching 900 first-class wickets. He hit that mark right here at the Home of Cricket. That’s a career’s worth of work, and it cements his place as one of the most reliable fast bowlers around.

One report says his figures were 4 for 62, not 4 for 56—so the exact number’s a bit fuzzy. But here’s the thing: Abbas wasn’t just padding stats. He sent Joe Root packing for just 4, right in the middle of England’s order when they’d settled. That wicket flipped momentum. Two more top-order strikes followed, and England slumped to 36 for 3 before lunch. For more, check BBC Sport.

Mohammad Ali Backs Up the Leader with Control

Abbas took the wickets, but Ali did the holding. His 3 for 67 came at a tighter economy than the morning figures suggested. He also grabbed the key wicket of an established batter who’d started a counter-rebuild.

Together, those two seamers bowled 43 of the 80 overs on day one. England never really got out of their shell.

Pakistan’s Day-One Bowling Map

Cox and Smith Rebuild After the Collapse

England’s fightback came from an unlikely duo. Cox, in just his second Test, ground out a composed fifty. Smith counter-attacked his way to 61, stopping what could’ve been a full-blown collapse. For more, see BBC Sport Cricket.

They put on 98 for the sixth wicket—the day’s defining partnership. That stand dragged England from a hole to something like parity by tea. But it stayed unfinished when bad light hit. Umpires called it unsafe, even with the floodlights on.

Pakistan’s Toss Decision Pays Off

Pakistan won the toss and bowled first. That call made sense given the pitch and the cloud cover. By stumps, it looked spot on. They didn’t just contain England—they controlled the tempo.

The seamers moved the ball sideways all day. Even during England’s recovery, the run-rate rarely crept above four.

What’s Next at Lord’s

Play resumes Friday, August 28. England are reportedly still 32 runs shy of the follow-on mark, with two wickets in hand. Cox and the tail will push for 300, giving England’s bowlers a target to defend.

Pakistan, meanwhile, want to wrap up the innings quickly. Then they’ll either enforce the follow-on or bat England out of the game. The series is level at 0-0, but this Test is already leaning the visitors’ way.

Pakistan’s seamers have the hosts on the ropes. Friday’s opening session decides whether they press home the advantage or Cox’s defiance sparks an England revival.

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