Table of Contents
Root Guides England to Series Sweep
Joe Root guided England to a 3-0 series whitewash over Pakistan with an unbeaten 62 as the hosts overcame early tremors to win the third Test by eight wickets at Edgbaston .
England resumed their chase of 130 on Saturday and suffered an early setback when Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas struck twice, dismissing Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay for ducks. However, Jordan Cox and Joe Root steadied the innings and took England to victory. Root remained unbeaten on 62, while Cox scored 59. It was Root’s 110th Test innings of 50 or more, a tally that includes 41 centuries.
Pakistan’s Valiant Second-Innings Fightback
Earlier, England had taken a commanding position after bowling Pakistan out for 133 in their first innings. The hosts responded with 453, securing a massive 320-run first-innings lead.
Pakistan produced a much stronger response in their second innings, scoring 449. Shan Masood led the fightback with 95, while debutant Razaullah struck a valuable 81 off just 63 balls, including nine sixes and four boundaries, electrifying Edgbaston on Friday evening . Pakistan’s recovery also featured contributions from Azan Awais (59) and Babar Azam (76).
Bowling Performances
For England, Josh Tongue was the standout bowler in Pakistan’s first innings, taking 4-42, while Ollie Robinson claimed 3-15. In Pakistan’s second innings, Gus Atkinson took 3-109.
Pakistan’s Difficult Tour
For Pakistan, who have now lost 16 of their last 21 Tests, it was another difficult chapter in a chaotic tour, which was capped by the decision to replace seven players in the squad after the second Test and sack coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul.
The result marked a satisfying return to the captaincy for Root following Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket. At least, however, the ‘Raz-ball’ fightback in Birmingham showed there was still a pulse in the Pakistan side ahead of their next assignment against Sri Lanka in October .
