The National Times - Robinson rocks Pakistan again as England eye series win at Lord's

The seamer took two wickets in four balls before express fast bowler Jofra Archer dismissed Pakistan captain Babar Azam to leave the tourists 14-3 in their second innings.

Pakistan recovered to 53-3 at lunch on the fourth day -- but that still left them needing a further 336 runs to reach an improbable victory target of 389.

Robinson had interval figures of 2-13 in seven overs following his remarkable return of 4-11 in 13 during Pakistan's meagre first-innings 110 all out.

With Imam-ul-Haq, unable to bat in the first innings because of a calf strain, not opening again Sunday, Pakistan looked to Shan Masood and Azan Awais to see off the new ball on a still seam-friendly pitch.

Awais, however, was lbw to Robinson and, three balls later, Abdullah Shafique was clean bowled for a duck by an almost unplayable delivery from the Sussex captain that angled in and moved away late to knock over the off stump.

Archer, who plays under Robinson at Sussex, then bowled a brute of a bouncer that Azam, attempting a pull, flapped at, with the ball looping to Jordan Cox at second slip.

Pakistan's chances of levelling this three-match series had long appeared slim after their first-innings collapse.

The highest fourth-innings total to win a Test at Lord's the West Indies's 344-1 in 1984 that featured an unbeaten double century from Gordon Greenidge.

"Miracles do happen in cricket," said Pakistan paceman Mohammad Ali following Saturday's close, when England were already 357 runs ahead. "It'll be a difficult task but not impossible."

It certainly looked close to impossible Sunday with Masood (15 not out) and Saud Shakeel (23 not out) unbeaten at lunch.

Earlier, veteran Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas finally achieved a coveted place on the Lord's honours boards with a return of 5-57 as England were dismissed for 208.

Cricketers who take at least five wickets in an innings or 10 in a match or score a century in a Test at Lord's have their feats recorded on one of the honours boards in the home and away dressing rooms at the 'Home of Cricket'.

Abbas, 36, had come close before with a trio of four-wicket hauls, including a return of 4-73 during England's first-innings 290 in this match.

But having ended a third day cut short by rain and bad light with 3-48, Abbas wasted little time in reaching the landmark .

Dan Lawrence had added just four runs to his overnight 50 not out when he was bowled by Abbas.

England's 186-8 became 187-9 when a typically skilful 79 mph (127 kmh) Abbas ball darted back into Robinson, with wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan -- stood up to the stumps -- holding a sharp catch off the outside edge, before the elated bowler was mobbed by his team-mates.

England's innings ended in unexpected fashion when Azam, belying Pakistan's reputation as a poor fielding side, ran out sluggish No 11 Josh Tongue with a direct hit from the covers.

S.Collins--TNT