Jofra Archer removes Babar Azam with short ball on Day 4 of second Test at Lord’s

On Day 4 of the second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s, Jofra Archer dismissed Pakistan captain Babar Azam with a short, fast delivery that induced a miscued shot. Babar was trapped for 6 in the second innings as England’s fast bowling continued to trouble the visitors.

Bowling conditions at Lord’s have favoured pace in the match, with both sides finding runs hard to come by and bowlers enjoying success. Archer, 31, has returned to a more regular role in Test cricket and is noted in the England attack for his pace and steep bounce. He operated alongside Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson, a group the report describes as making England’s seam unit potent. Pakistan arrived at Lord’s seeking a response after a heavy defeat at Headingley, and Babar Azam’s return to the side was seen as a boost for their resistance.

After two early wickets fell in Pakistan’s second innings, captain Babar Azam walked to the crease and faced Archer shortly thereafter. Archer delivered a short-pitched ball that hit the pitch hard, generating significant pace and bounce and forcing Babar into a shot he could not control. The ball was taken by the fielders, dismissing Babar and adding to Pakistan’s top-order problems.

Babar was out for 6 in the second innings; across both innings of the second Test at Lord’s in August 2026 he made 14 runs, scoring 8 in the first innings and 6 in the second. The dismissal compounded the troubles of Pakistan’s batting line-up in a match where England bowlers have largely had the upper hand. England, despite being dismissed for just 208 runs in their second innings, had set Pakistan a target of 389.

The wicket generated immediate reaction on social media, captured in a posted clip that read: "WHAT A BALL BY JOFRA ARCHER. 🔥🥶– Absolute Brutal from Archer! pic.twitter.com/XaXWpyD8lt". The report states Archer’s comeback to regular Test involvement has been a major storyline for England and that this dismissal reinforced his threat when fit.

Pakistan last won a Test match at Lord’s in May 2018, when they defeated England by 9 wickets.