Joe Root pushed back strongly against the suggestion that Pakistan have shown "no fight" in their Test series against England, calling such a description disrespectful to both sides. Speaking before the third Test at Edgbaston, which begins on Wednesday, Root emphasized that the narrative oversimplifies a complex contest and undermines the effort of both teams.
The context for Root's comments is England's commanding 2-0 lead in the three‑match series. After decisive victories at Headingley and Lord's, the English side has appeared dominant, yet the Pakistani camp has been anything but static. In a dramatic mid‑series overhaul, Pakistan sent seven players home and recalled an equal number of replacements following heavy defeats. The upheaval extended beyond the playing XI: head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul were dismissed, with Mike Hesson, who oversees Pakistan's limited‑overs squads, and former Australian fast bowler Ashley Noffke stepping in to guide the team for the Edgbaston encounter.
The Pakistan Cricket Board also launched an inquiry into recent media reports concerning discipline and conduct, adding another layer of turmoil. When asked how it feels to face a side that some pundits claim is "offering no fight," Root responded that labeling the opposition in such a way is unfair and disrespectful.
He argued that cricket rarely presents a binary of one team being excellent and the other being poor; instead, performance usually falls somewhere in the middle, reflecting a blend of strengths, weaknesses, and situational factors. "Absolutely we have found Pakistan a challenge," Root said. "To call them disrespectful to both Pakistan as a team and to us as a team is not right. We have not let them slip into games simply because of how well we have played, but also because we have read the conditions and surfaces very quickly." Root continued, "It is easy to say one side is outstanding and the other is sub‑par, but normally it is somewhere in the middle.
If one team has been outstanding then the other cannot have been poor, and vice versa. We need to appreciate the nuance and recognise that the middle ground exists." He added that regardless of the first two matches, the third Test presents a "completely different proposition".
The Pakistani dressing room still contains a wealth of talent, and England must be prepared for a fresh challenge. "There is a very talented group of players in that dressing room, and you have to be ready for it, so we will make sure we are," Root affirmed.
A lingering question after the series is whether Emilio Gay will retain his place as one of England's openers. Gay has featured in five Tests this summer, scoring two half‑centuries, but his average hovers around 23. Younger prospects Jacob Bethell and Jordan Cox have been mentioned as potential replacements, though Root described these options as hypothetical at this stage. He stressed the importance of contextualising Gay's contributions, especially in a low‑scoring series.
"Emilio has been brilliant in the conditions we have had and it would be unfair to discuss his future outside of this game," Root explained. "He has played some vital knocks, and context is crucial when you have low‑scoring games and a low‑scoring series.
He has done really well in many respects in the hardest possible conditions." In other news, former England star Kevin Pietersen is set to re‑join the national set‑up for the first time since 2014, taking on a specialist mentor role with the white‑ball teams as they prepare for next year’s Cricket World Cup in Africa. Pietersen will work alongside head coach Brendon McCullum, former England opener Marcus Trescothick, New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee, spin specialist Jeetan Patel and former England wicket‑keeper Sarah Taylor. Root, who is the last active England player to have shared a dressing room with Pietersen, reflected on the value of that experience.
"I am probably the last player to have played with him still going," he said. "I really enjoyed him as a senior player coming into the team.
I would shadow him in the nets, watch how he practised, ask for advice, especially on playing spin, and he was always open and honest. If he can offer that kind of insight in a coaching capacity, it will benefit us as a group." When asked whether Pietersen's controversial reputation might be a distraction, Root insisted that frankness is essential at the highest level. "You want people to give their honest opinion.
Why would you involve him if you didn’t want him to tell you what he thinks and give his insight? He is very knowledgeable, especially about batting, and he brings a huge amount of energy. I think he will be great for the group and I’m looking forward to his involvement." The third Test will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 am on Wednesday, with the first ball scheduled for 11 am.
Viewers without a Sky subscription can explore streaming options via NOW or other Sky Sports deals. Overall, Root's remarks underscore a desire to move beyond simplistic narratives and respect the competitive spirit of both nations.
While England enjoys a comfortable series lead, the upcoming match at Edgbaston promises fresh challenges, potential lineup debates, and the added intrigue of Pietersen’s return to the England camp as a mentor. The series remains a compelling story of adaptation, resilience, and the fine margins that define Test cricket.