England once again imposed their superiority over a struggling Pakistan side on the opening day of the third Test at Edgbaston, bowing the visitors out for just 133 runs and then posting 156 for 4 in reply, carving out a modest 23‑run lead. The day was highlighted by a late‑order resurgence from Emilio Gay, who made 60, and Harry Brook, unbeaten on 52, rescuing England from a precarious 39 for 3 after an early wobble in their own batting order. Their innings was punctuated by the dismissal of captain Joe Root, who fell lbw for eight – his tenth lbw victim in just 13 Test innings – at the hands of the impressive debutant pacer Razaullah, who finished with figures of 2 for 42. Root had elected to field first in overcast conditions, but Pakistan’s resistance was short‑lived, lasting only 33.5 overs – the briefest innings of the series, which has been marked by a succession of disappointing batting displays from the visitors.
The Pakistani tally of 133 all out featured a top score of 43 from Saud Shakeel and a useful 21 from Mohammad Abbas, but the English attack ran them through with ease. Josh Tongue claimed four wickets for 42 runs, taking the wickets of captain Babar Azam (7), Mohammad Imran (5) and the lone bright spot Saud Shakeel (43). Ollie Robinson added three for 15, while Jofra Archer contributed three for 25.
England’s reply saw them reach 156 for 4 after 39 overs, with Gay and Brook forging a 104‑run partnership for the fourth wicket that lifted the home side into a small but significant lead. Their stand not only steadied the innings after early losses but also demonstrated the depth of England’s batting order, which had been under pressure following the early dismissal of Root.
The partnership was eventually broken when Razaullah, the 21‑year‑old debutant, claimed Gay’s wicket off an inside edge, but Brook’s unbeaten half‑century ensured England finished the day on top. The morning session was a whirlwind of wickets.
Ollie Robinson celebrated his 100th Test wicket, finishing with three for 15, while Tongue’s four‑for‑42 spell dismantled Pakistan’s top order. The visitors struggled to build any meaningful partnerships, slipping to 26 for 4 at one point, with early dismissals of Saim Ayub (a golden duck) and Abdullah Shafique (caught behind). The Pakistani lower order showed a glimmer of resilience: Mohammad Abbas (21) and Mohammad Ali (5 not out) added a 26‑run stand for the last wicket, the highest partnership in an otherwise dismal innings.
The series has been a tale of two extremes for Pakistan. After a crushing 194‑run defeat at Lord's that handed England the series with a match to spare, the Pakistan Cricket Board instituted a sweeping overhaul of the squad and coaching staff ahead of the Birmingham Test. Seven players were dropped entirely, four changes were made to the starting XI, and three newcomers were handed Test debuts. Among them was opener Saim Ayub, who, despite the honour of selection, was quickly humbled by a 10‑ball duck at the hands of Robinson.
The rapid turnover highlights the urgency felt by the Pakistani camp to reverse a trend of under‑performance. Josh Tongue, reflecting on the day’s events in an interview with Sky Sports Cricket, expressed his satisfaction: "Really pleased with the day. Winning the toss, putting Pakistan in to bat and then bowling them out for just over 130 puts us in a strong position.
The pitch looked good, so to dismiss them cheaply on a decent surface was a testament to our bowlers. I tried a new wobble in the nets this week and it paid off – I got a wicket. Overall, I think we’ve been very consistent throughout the series and today was another proof of that." Former England captain Nasser Hussain, providing analysis for Sky Sports, praised the impact of Pakistan’s new bowler: "Pakistan have been searching for something different from their bowlers for a long time.
It was great to see Razaullah bring a fresh pace and a point of difference. He even managed to get Joe Root out, which is no small feat." Urooj Mumtaz, also on Sky Sports, highlighted the significance of Razaullah’s performance: "He’s just 21, on his first overseas tour, and he dismissed one of the greatest batsmen of our era with his fourth delivery. He was clocked at 89 mph, nudging up to 91 mph, and maintained that pace throughout his spell.
It was an inspired selection – they needed that X‑factor. The system is working, not broken." Pakistan’s inability to bat through a full day’s play – 90 overs – across both innings of the first two Tests underscores a deeper issue with their batting technique and temperament. Unless they can mount a dramatic turnaround this week, they risk repeating the pattern of early collapses and sub‑par totals.
The overhaul of their squad suggests a willingness to experiment, but the immediate results have been sobering. Looking ahead, the second day of the third Test promises to be a crucial juncture. England will aim to extend their lead, capitalise on the momentum generated by their bowlers, and possibly clinch the series.
Pakistan, on the other hand, must regroup, find solidity in their top order, and make the most of any opportunities presented by the pitch as it wears. Fans can catch the live action on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:15 am on Thursday, with streaming options available via NOW for those without a traditional Sky subscription. In summary, the first day at Edgbaston was a clear demonstration of England’s superior bowling attack and the resilience of their middle order.
While Pakistan’s new faces showed flashes of potential, the overall performance was insufficient to challenge the hosts. The series now hinges on whether Pakistan can adapt quickly enough to avoid a repeat of the early dismissals that have defined their recent Tests, and whether England can maintain the pressure and convert their early advantage into a decisive victory.