England fast bowler Jofra Archer produced a moment of hostile fast bowling to dismiss Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Day 4 of the PAK vs ENG 2nd Test 2026 at Lord’s, dealing a significant blow to the visitors’ fourth-innings run chase.
Archer struck with a well-directed, rising delivery that forced Babar to defend awkwardly, resulting in a catch behind the stumps.
Jofra Archer Dismisses Babar Azam
After setting Babar up with full-length deliveries outside off-stump, Archer shortened his length with an aggressive bouncer aimed at the batter’s shoulder. Babar attempted to sway out of the line, but the extra pace hurried the Pakistan skipper, brushing his glove before carrying comfortably through to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith
Babar’s dismissal for a single-digit score further compounded Pakistan’s difficulties in the Test match. Having returned to the side after missing the opening match at Headingley due to a hand fracture, the skipper struggled to find rhythm against England’s fast bowlers across both innings. His departure left Pakistan in deep trouble during their pursuit of a formidable target, tilting the balance decisively in favour of Joe Root’s side.
Babar Azam’s Form Under Scrutiny
Babar Azam, who turned 31 in October 2025, had recently shown signs of resurgence in Test cricket, climbing to the tenth spot in the ICC Test Batting Rankings after a strong series against West Indies earlier in August, where he scored 193 runs. Despite this recent form, his short outing at Lord’s for just 8 runs has raised questions about his ability to withstand England’s pace battery in challenging conditions.
England currently holds a slight edge in the head-to-head Test record against Pakistan, with 31 wins compared to Pakistan’s 23 from 93 matches, with 39 draws. The last Test series between the two nations saw Pakistan emerge victorious with a 2-1 margin in October 2024.
As the 2nd Test progresses at Lord’s, Archer’s impactful spell, highlighted by the dismissal of Azam, has set the tone for England’s dominance, pushing Pakistan further into a precarious position.