England took a strong grip on the third Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday after Pakistan’s fragile batting line-up collapsed for just 133 runs on the opening day. The tourists once again struggled against England’s pace attack and have now failed to cross the 200-run mark in the series.
Josh Tongue was the pick of England’s bowlers, finishing with four wickets for 42 runs. Ollie Robinson claimed three for 15, while Jofra Archer also took three wickets for 25 runs as Pakistan were bowled out in only 33.5 overs.
Pakistan handed Test debuts to Razaullah, Ghazi Ghori and Mohammad Imran after major changes to the squad following their defeat in the second Test at Lord’s. Seven players were sent home, while head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant coach Umar Gul were also removed from their positions.
Pakistan once again made a disastrous start after being asked to bat first, losing four wickets for only 26 runs. Saim Ayub, returning to Test cricket after a 21-month absence, was dismissed lbw by Robinson, who reached 100 Test wickets in his 24th match. Azan Awais was then caught at wide mid-on off Archer for nine, while Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood also fell cheaply.
Tongue added to Pakistan’s troubles by dismissing captain Babar Azam for seven in his first over. He later removed Ghazi Ghori for four and Mohammad Imran for five, leaving Pakistan struggling at 100 for seven at lunch.
Razaullah, making his Test debut, lasted only three balls after the interval before edging Robinson to Ben Duckett. Saud Shakeel again top-scored for Pakistan, making 43 from 47 deliveries, but Tongue dismissed him to complete his four-wicket haul. Mohammad Abbas scored 21, while the last-wicket pair added 26 runs, which proved to be Pakistan’s highest partnership of the innings.
England also lost early wickets in their first innings as Mohammad Ali and Abbas dismissed Ben Duckett and Jordan Cox. Joe Root was then trapped lbw for 12, marking his ninth lbw dismissal in his last 12 Test innings, as England slipped to 39 for three.
However, Emilio Gay and Harry Brook steadied the innings with an important century partnership. Gay recorded his highest Test score of 60 from 114 balls before being dismissed by debutant Razaullah, who impressed with his pace and regularly reached around 90mph.
At the close of play, England had reached 156 for four, giving them a 23-run lead over Pakistan. Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 52 and will resume alongside Dan Lawrence when play continues on the second day.
