England enjoyed a dominant day at Lord's as they reached stumps with a 261-run lead over Pakistan.

The hosts' seamers came to the fore on Friday, putting England on the brink of another rapid victory, which would also wrap up a series win.

Ollie Robinson took a sensational 4-11, while the searing Jofra Archer finished on 3-26, as England put their issues from day one firmly behind them.

Josh Tongue chipped in with 2-27, with Imam-ul-Haq unable to bat for Pakistan due to a finger issue.

Azan Awais (46) was the only Pakistan batter to pass 20. The next-highest score for the tourists was extras, with Saud Shakeel (16) the only other batter to get into double figures.

Pakistan's bowlers did respond in the final session, reducing England to 13-2 with Khurram Shahzad (2-26) sending Ben Duckett (1) and Jordan Cox (11) packing.

Joe Root (24) came in to steady the ship alongside Emilio Gay (30 not out), before England's captain was pinned lbw by Mohammad Ali (1-27), but England head into the weekend in a commanding position.

Earlier, England had managed to reach 290 before Gus Atkinson was dismissed, meaning they added a respectable 42 to their overnight total.

Taking control on Day Two

We reach the close with a 261-run lead

Match Centre: https://t.co/Z9bsIoMyb6 pic.twitter.com/bzGQWwCwO7

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 28, 2026

Root's footwork fails him

One minor blot on England's copybook was Root's dismissal, after he had come in and steadied things after Shahzad's flurry of wickets.

Root has now been dismissed lbw in seven of nine Test innings this summer.

That has seen him equal the record for most lbw dismissals in a single Test season.

However, England's skipper will have headed into the pavilion at the close of play, with stumps called due to bad light, knowing that his team have this match, and this series, very much in their hands, with Pakistan likely needing a big favour from the weather if they are to rescue something from the Test.

Robinson was the star of the show with the ball, but he was ably supported by Archer, who produced the quickest opening spell of his Test career, bowling at an average speed of 90.7 mph.