The National Times - Robinson strikes as England close in on series win over Pakistan

Pakistan were 140-5 at tea on the fourth day, still needing a further 249 runs to reach an improbable victory target of 389.

Robinson had figures of 4-24 in 14 overs following his sensational 4-11 in 13 during Pakistan's meagre first-innings 110 all out.

The Sussex seamer produced a pair of double strikes Sunday either side of Shakeel, 78 not out, and fellow left-hander Shan Masood checking England's progress with a fourth-wicket partnership of 97.

Robinson took two in four balls to leave Pakistan 7-2, before express quick Jofra Archer dismissed Pakistan captain Babar Azam, with England seemingly well on course to go 2-0 ahead in a three-match series.

But from the dire position of 14-3 before lunch, Shakeel and Masood at least made England work for what would be their first multi-match Test series win since a 2-1 success in New Zealand over a year ago.

The returning Robinson, however, had Masood lbw from around the wicket for a gritty 26 off 72 balls, although it needed a review to reverse umpire Allahuddien Paleker's original not out decision.

And 111-4 became 115-5 when Mohammad Rizwan was lbw to Robinson carelessly slogging across the line.

With Imam-ul-Haq, unable to bat in the first innings due to a calf strain, not opening again Sunday, Pakistan looked to 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 a superb delivery from the paceman that angled in and moved away late to hit off stump.

Archer's brute of a bouncer then had Azam in a horrible flap, with the ball looping to Jordan Cox at second slip.

- Abbas on the honours board at last -

Pakistan's chances of a series-levelling win had long appeared slim after their first-innings collapse, which followed meagre totals of 171 and 135 during an innings and 103-run defeat in last week's first Test at Headingley.

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

But the elegant Shakeel went to fifty in just 54 balls when he drove Gus Atkinson down the ground for the ninth four of his innings.

The 30-year-old was then struck on the arm and helmet by rapid bouncers from Archer and Josh Tongue but held firm nonetheless.

Earlier, 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 his 4-73 in England's first-innings 290 of this match.

But he went one better Sunday after starting the day with 3-48.

Dan Lawrence had added just four runs to his overnight 50 not out when he was bowled by Abbas before the veteran seamer had Robinson edging to wicket-keeper Rizwan, who held a fine catch standing up to the stumps.

An elated Abbas was mobbed by his team-mates before kissing the turf in celebration.

A.Wood--TNT