LONDON – England were all out for 242, giving Pakistan 64 to win the firstTest on Sunday. England could add only six runs to their overnight total of52.

On Saturdya, England struggled with the bat again, finishing day three ofthe Lord’s Test on 235/6, just 52 runs in front of Pakistan. Amir and Abbastook two each.

The last time England lost the first Test of a home summer was 1995 whenthey were defeated by the Windies by nine wickets.

That looks about to change as Pakistan closed in on a brilliant victory asthey continued their complete dominance of this match at Lord’s. Afterbeing bowled out for 363, with Babar Azam unable to resume batting due toinjury, they were 179 runs in front on first innings.

But for an unbroken seventh-wicket stand worth 121 from Jos Buttler anddebutant Dom Bess, the home side would have already lost this game as theystruggled with the bat once again.

With Pakistan so far in the lead it was vital for England to get off to astrong start with their openers laying a solid platform. That isn’t whatthe home team got, with Alastair Cook trapped lbw off the bowling ofMohammad Abbas for 1 from the 11th ball of the innings.