Pakistan opts to bowl first against England in rain-hit second Test

Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to field in the second Test against England at Lord's, a match significantly delayed by rain. Azam's return to the side marks a key change after he missed Pakistan's innings and 103-run defeat in the series opener at Headingley due to a finger injury.

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We will bowl first because of the conditions. The pitch has grass on it.

"We will bowl first because of the conditions," Azam stated, noting the grass on the pitch. "Now, I am 100 percent (fit). That's why I am here. Good to go. Always an honor for us to play at Lord's, especially for me as a captain."

Azam's inclusion sees him replace stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha. England captain Joe Root, buoyed by a convincing victory in his first match back as full-time skipper, commented on the pitch's appearance. "We would've bowled first too, but saying that it looks a very different pitch to the last time we played here," Root said.

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Now, I am 100 percent (fit). That’s why I am here. Good to go. Always an honor for us to play at Lord’s, especially for me as a captain.

England, leading the three-match series 1-0, fielded an unchanged team. Root expressed satisfaction with his team's performance in the first Test, highlighting their composure and ability to manage key moments. "The all-round nature was most pleasing (at Headingley), the way we were so calm and the ability we had to recognise those moments," he said. "It wasn’t absolutely perfect but it was a great blueprint and more of the same this week would be outstanding."

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We would’ve bowled first too, but saying that it looks a very different pitch to the last time we played here.

The match also comes amid off-field issues for England, with Derbyshire Police investigating allegations of assault following an incident involving fast bowler Brydon Carse. Carse was handcuffed outside a nightclub over the weekend and subsequently removed from the squad.

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The all-round nature was most pleasing (at Headingley), the way we were so calm and the ability we had to recognise those moments. It wasn’t absolutely perfect but it was a great blueprint and more of the same this week would be outstanding.