The first session was completely washed out at Lord’s on Saturday but when play finally began in the afternoon it was Pakistan who delivered the first blow with Mohammad Abbas trapping Emilio Gay lbw with a superb delivery.
Dan Lawrence walked into partner Harry Brook in the middle and the duo stitched a 45-run stand that was interrupted by another spell of rain. Abbas struck again to get rid of Brook and give Pakistan another breakthrough.
Lawrence, though, kept going at the other end to keep England’s scoreboard ticking even though he saw Jamie Smith depart at the other end. Gus Atkinson joined him the middle and England reached 162/6 at tea.
Mohammad Ali removed Atkinson early after tea but Lawrence kept on the charge to bring up his fifty as the rain returned with England at 177/7.
No further play was possible as bad light forced the close of play on day three to leave England with a healthy 357-run lead.
Series schedule:
First Test: August 19-23, Headingley (England won by an innings and 103 runs)
Second Test: August 27-31, Lord’s
Third Test: September 9-13, Edgbaston
