Mohammad Abbas’s relentless efforts and hard work with the red cherry, which have earned him more than 900 first-class wickets, finally paid off on Sunday when he entered the Lord’s Honours Board. But Pakistan were annihilated by 194 runs by England in the second cricket Test with a day to spare.

Abbas, who took two four-fers in 2018 and another in the first innings of this match, finished with figures of 22-3-57-5 as England were dismissed for 208 after resuming at 117 for seven.

Pakistan, chasing 389 for victory, were immediately on the back foot when they slipped to 14 for three. Azan Awais (6) was trapped in front of the wickets, Abdullah Shafique was clean bowled and Babar Azam was caught off a nasty Jofra Archer bouncer.

They recovered through a 97-run fourth-wicket partnership between Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel, but once Shan (26) fell with the score on 111, Pakistan’s resistance quickly unravelled and they were dismissed for 194 in 50.5 overs.

Imam-ul-Haq once again did not come out to bat after suffering a calf strain during the first day’s play. The Pakistan team medical panel has provided no update on the extent of Imam’s injury, which has, unfortunately, fuelled speculation and controversy involving the player, team and Pakistan Cricket Board.

While Abbas found his way onto the Lord’s Honours Board, a pinnacle of achievement for any professional cricketer, Saud Shakeel missed the honour by three runs when he was caught hooking at 97.

The left-hander batted with grace, elegance and craft, and almost single-handedly ensured Pakistan lasted 50 overs for the first time in the series.

Saud faced 122 balls and struck 13 fours and two sixes. His 97 was the highest individual score of the match, further reflecting the challenging batting conditions at Lord’s, which he handled with composure and skill.

The innings was particularly significant for Saud, who had missed both Tests in the West Indies in the series preceding the England tour.

Saud demonstrated that, despite the challenging conditions and the movement generated by the ball, runs were available at Lord’s for batters prepared to apply themselves, exercise caution and use the technique required to succeed at the highest level.

Shan Masood briefly offered further resistance, but when he was struck on the pads after shuffling across the line, Pakistan’s slim hopes disappeared.

Mohammad Rizwan, who has probably played his last Test for Pakistan, attempted a T20-style slog sweep and was pinned in front of the wickets, while Ali Usman (16) played Jofra Archer on to his stumps after adding 31 runs for the sixth wicket with Saud.

Ollie Robinson once again demonstrated that controlled accuracy, rather than outright pace, could be more destructive. After his four for 11 in the first innings, he returned four for 24 to finish with eight wickets in the match and earn the Player of the Match award.

Josh Tongue took three for 46 and Archer two for 73.

Pakistan’s batting at Lord’s was an embarrassment for a side that has produced some of the most attractive, gritty and courageous innings at the ground over the years.

Javed Burki and Nasim-ul-Ghani scored 101 each in 1961. Hanif Mohammad made 187 in 1967. Mohsin Khan was dubbed the ‘Lord of Lord’s’ after his 200 in 1982. Inzamam-ul-Haq scored 148 in 1996, while Mohammad Yousuf made 202 in 2006. And who can forget Misbah-ul-Haq’s push-ups and salute after becoming the oldest captain to score a century at Lord’s in 2016?

Against that extraordinary history, Pakistan’s batting in this Test was painfully difficult to reconcile.

The complete capitulation at Leeds, where Pakistan lost by an innings and 103 runs, followed by another heavy defeat at Lord’s, also raises serious questions about the planning, strategy and preparation of the Pakistan Cricket Board for this tour.

The England tour was announced in 2023, yet Pakistan made a mess of the intervening period, appointing five different head coaches, three captains and nearly 15 selectors. In the same three-year period, around 12 players made their Test debuts — a clear reflection of the instability, chaos and confusion surrounding Pakistan cricket.

The players are answerable. They are highly paid professionals and must accept responsibility for their performances. But questions must also be asked of those responsible for creating an environment and structure in which these cricketers can improve, develop and eventually become world-class players.

Pakistan’s leadership and administration have presided over an environment that has made the country’s Test cricket increasingly difficult to recognise. The consequences, however, will almost certainly fall first on the players, while those responsible for the shambolic and unprofessional preparation of the Pakistan men’s team will escape without comparable scrutiny.

That cannot be allowed to become the permanent cycle of Pakistan cricket.

Scores in brief — Day 4 of 5, Lord’s

ENGLAND 290 all-out, 66.4 overs (Jamie Smith 61, Jordan Cox 55, Gus Atkinson 45, Josh Tongue 30 not out; Mohammad Abbas 4-73, Mohammad Ali 3-86) and 208 all-out, 54.2 overs (overnight 177-7, 46.5 overs; Dan Lawrence 54, Harry Brook 34, Emilio Gay 31, Joe Root 24; Mohammad Abbas 5-57, Khurram Shahzad 2-56, Mohammad Ali 2-70)

PAKISTAN 110 all-out, 37.2 overs (Azan Awais 46, Saud Shakeel 16, Extras 20; Ollie Robinson 4-11, Jofra Archer 3-26, Josh Tongue 2-27) and 194 all-out, 50.5 overs (Saud Shakeel 97, Shan Masood 26, Ali Usman 16, Mohammad Abbas 13 not out; Ollie Robinson 4-24, Josh Tongue 3-46, Jofra Archer 2-73)

RESULT: England won by 194 runs

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Ollie Robinson (England)