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England eyes series win after Pakistan slumps to 53-3 in a 389 chase at Lord's

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England eyes series win after Pakistan slumps to 53-3 in a 389 chase at Lord's
Sport

Sport

England eyes series win after Pakistan slumps to 53-3 in a 389 chase at Lord's

2026-08-30 20:48 Last Updated At:21:00

LONDON (AP) — England was eyeing a series win after reducing Pakistan to 53-3 in a chase of 389 on the fourth morning of the second test at Lord's on Sunday.

Ollie Robinson dismissed Azan Awais and Abdullah Shafique and Jofra Archer bounced out captain Babar Azam in the first eight overs.

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Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas, right, celebrates with teammate Mohammad Rizwan after the dismissal of England's Ollie Robinson on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas, right, celebrates with teammate Mohammad Rizwan after the dismissal of England's Ollie Robinson on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Pakistan's Abdullah Shafique is bowled out by England's Ollie Robinson on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Pakistan's Abdullah Shafique is bowled out by England's Ollie Robinson on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

England's Jofra Archer appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Pakistan's Azan Awais on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

England's Jofra Archer appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Pakistan's Azan Awais on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

England's Ollie Robinson reacts after bowling a delivery on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

England's Ollie Robinson reacts after bowling a delivery on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Saud Shakeel, 23 off 36 balls, and opener Shan Masood, 15 off 42, hung on to lunch.

Under partial sunshine, Pakistan finished England's second innings at 208 before noon but the host had a mountainous lead of 388 runs.

That had to be daunting for a Pakistan side that hasn't cracked 200 in three previous innings in the series. The first at Lord's was only 110 on Friday, and two days later England's all-seam attack was ruthlessly picking apart the top order again.

England hasn't won a series since December 2024 in New Zealand.

Robinson pinned Awais on his back thigh in the crease. Awais, on 6, reviewed but it was plumb on middle stump. In the same fifth over, Shafique was bowled without scoring, and Robinson had 2-2 at that point.

Pakistan's in-form batter was followed to the exit by its best batter. Babar looked to pull Archer but, too late, tried to fend off a 91 mph (147 kph) delivery that ricocheted off his glove and helmet and ballooned to Jordan Cox at third slip.

Pakistan was 14-3 but effectively four down as Imam-ul-Haq hasn't played since he tore his left calf in the field on the first day. Hobbling with the calf heavily strapped and a doctor nearby, Imam took throwdowns on the field on Sunday morning but no reappearance was suggested.

Shakeel and Masood got relief when Robinson and Archer finished their spells and took fighting runs from Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson.

Robinson had 2-13 from seven overs and Archer 1-13 from five. Robinson's brief but outstanding summer so far has netted 21 wickets in three tests at an average of 8.3.

The first hour was much happier for Pakistan, particularly for 36-year-old Mohammad Abbas, who made the Lord's honors board for the first time with a five-for.

Abbas, resuming the day on 3-48, removed Dan Lawrence, England's innings high-scorer with 54, and Robinson to a sharp catch at the stumps by Mohammad Rizwan and punched the air and bowed on the grass.

He returned to the boundary to a standing ovation from local fans familiar with his rhythmic, nagging and successful medium pace during seven seasons in the England County Championship.

Abbas was denied a match haul of 10 wickets when Tongue was run out by a great throw from Babar from mid-off. But Abbas, with 5-57, held the match ball as he walked off to applause for taking 9-130 in the game. Those were the second-best bowling figures for Pakistan at the famed venue after Yasir Shah's 10-141 in 2016.

See AP’s full cricket coverage here

Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas, right, celebrates with teammate Mohammad Rizwan after the dismissal of England's Ollie Robinson on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas, right, celebrates with teammate Mohammad Rizwan after the dismissal of England's Ollie Robinson on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Pakistan's Abdullah Shafique is bowled out by England's Ollie Robinson on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Pakistan's Abdullah Shafique is bowled out by England's Ollie Robinson on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

England's Jofra Archer appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Pakistan's Azan Awais on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

England's Jofra Archer appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Pakistan's Azan Awais on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

England's Ollie Robinson reacts after bowling a delivery on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

England's Ollie Robinson reacts after bowling a delivery on day four of the second cricket test match between England and Pakistan in London, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea made official the signing of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez on Sunday.

The English club said the 33-year-old goalkeeper, who won the World Cup in 2022, has signed a three-year deal, joining from Aston Villa.

“Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I’m just over the moon. I can’t wait to get started,” Martínez said. “I want to be successful here. I’m someone who wants to win at everything I do and I want to bring that here to this football club because it’s a football club that wins titles, so I think it’s a good match.”

Martínez immediately took over the starting goalkeeping spot in Xabi Alonso's team, usurping previous No. 1 Robert Sánchez for Sunday's match against Brighton at Stamford Bridge.

Sánchez made mistakes leading to goals in Chelsea's Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday and was widely regarded as the team's big weakness in its bid to become a title contender this season.

Villa earlier this month signed U.S.-born Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma, opening the door for Martínez's departure.

Martínez has been Argentina’s regular starter since 2021, earning 67 caps. He also helped his country win the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, and reach this year's World Cup final.

Martinez won the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the world’s best-performing goalkeeper, at the 2023 and 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremonies.

He made 256 appearances for Villa across six seasons and won the Europa League in May.

"I’m all passion and I play with my heart. I will give 100% every game, every training session to make the club, my teammates and the supporters proud," he said.

Martínez started his career in the youth squads of Argentine club Independiente and joined Arsenal in 2010, at age 17. After several loan stints, he became a regular for Arsenal in the 2019-20 season, starting the last 11 matches and winning the FA Cup.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

FILE - Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez reacts after Spain had a goal disallowed during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

FILE - Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez reacts after Spain had a goal disallowed during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

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