It was a frustrating day for cricket fans as the third day of the ENG vs PAK second Test at Lord’s was called off early. The start of play was delayed due to rain, with England placed at 81 for the loss of three wickets when play ended on the second day. In fact, play began close to 2:30 PM local time on the third day.
With the score reading 177/7 and England enjoying an overall lead of 357, rain came down once more. The umpires surprisingly decided to call off play just 20 minutes past six. This didn’t sit well with former skipper Nasser Hussain, who questioned the decision.
“That’s a joke, honestly a joke. It is an unbelievable decision, it really is. These fans have waited all afternoon for the rain to stop. It is now bright and sunny with blue sky. It is going to be sunny in about five minutes here as well,” he said.
“No idea what’s going on, neither do the fans. It is the brightest it has been for about eight overs, and it hasn’t rained. You can get the covers off and start playing. It has been the best conditions of the game so far, and no one is doing anything,” he added.
Stop-and-start day frustrates fans
After play began, there was just 40 minutes of action before the players went to the dressing rooms once more. The game was restarted at 3:15 PM, and there was an 80-minute session before another spell of downpour and tea was taken early. The play was possible for a few more minutes before the players walked off the park one last time.
Opener Emilio Gay was the first man out on Saturday when he was LBW to Mohammad Abbas for 31 runs. Harry Brook and And Lawrence then stitched a stand of 45 runs for the fifth wicket. When the partnership was starting to look dangerous, Brook was sent back for 34 runs by Abbas.
Lawrence, making his return to the side, was not out on 50 off 66 balls with six boundaries and two sixes. Babar Azam‘s side will be hoping for more rain in the remaining two days in a bid to save the game and head into the final Test hoping to square the series.