England once again imposed their superiority over a struggling Pakistan side on the opening day of the third Test at Edgbaston, wrapping up the visitors for 133 runs and then reaching 156 for four wickets, thereby carving out a 23‑run lead. The day was marked by a dramatic recovery from England’s top order, a breakthrough performance from debutant pacer Razaullah, and a series of incisive spells from the English bowlers that left the Pakistani batting line‑up reeling.
Pakistan’s innings was a brief affair, lasting just 33.5 overs – their shortest in a series already riddled with under‑par batting displays. After winning the toss in overcast conditions, England chose to field, and the decision paid immediate dividends. The Pakistani openers fell quickly, and the innings soon spiralled as the ball moved in the seam and swing‑friendly conditions.
Razaullah, the 21‑year‑old debutant, made an instant impact, claiming the prized wicket of England captain Joe Root for a modest eight runs – his tenth lbw in just 13 Test innings, a statistic that underscored his early promise. Key figures for Pakistan included Saud Shakeel, who top‑scored with 43, and Mohammad Abbas, who contributed 21. However, the collective effort was insufficient against a disciplined English attack. Josh Tongue led the way with figures of 4‑42, dismantling the top of the order, while Ollie Robinson enjoyed a career milestone, picking up his 100th Test wicket with figures of 3‑15.
Jofra Archer added another three wickets for 25 runs, reinforcing the pressure. England’s reply began shakily. After a promising start, the middle order collapsed to 39 for three, leaving the hosts in a precarious position.
It was then that Emilio Gay and Harry Brook stepped in, each crafting a half‑century – Gay scoring 60 and Brook an unbeaten 52 – to forge a vital 104‑run partnership for the fourth wicket. Their stand not only steadied the innings but also pushed England into a modest lead of 23 runs.
The day also featured several noteworthy moments beyond the raw numbers. Tongue, speaking to Sky Sports Cricket, expressed his satisfaction with the day’s outcome, noting the importance of exploiting the conditions and the confidence gained from early wickets.
He highlighted his work on a subtle “wobble” delivery in the nets, which he successfully employed to claim a wicket, illustrating the blend of skill and experimentation that characterises modern fast‑bowling. Commentary from former England captain Nasser Hussain praised Pakistan’s need for a fresh approach, singling out Razaullah’s spell as a breath of change that managed to unsettle even the most accomplished batsmen, including Root.
Urooj Mumtaz, also from Sky Sports, marveled at the young pacer’s speed – clocking 89‑91 mph on his fourth delivery – and lauded the selection as the X‑factor Pakistan desperately required. Pakistan’s recent 194‑run loss at Lord’s, which handed England the series with a match to spare, triggered a sweeping overhaul of the Pakistani squad and coaching staff. Seven players were omitted entirely, four changes were made to the starting XI, and three debutants were introduced.
Among them, opener Saim Ayub endured a harsh introduction, falling for a golden duck to Robinson in the third over. The revamped side, however, struggled to find cohesion, with early wickets falling to a combination of disciplined line and length and aggressive swing. The innings also saw a series of cheap catches – Azan Awais and Shan Masood both fell to simple mid‑wicket catches – and a flurry of dismissals that highlighted Pakistan’s frailty under pressure.
After a brief resurgence from the lower order, with Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali adding a modest 26‑run partnership for the final wicket, the innings concluded, leaving Pakistan with a sub‑par total. Looking ahead, England will aim to build on this platform, while Pakistan must regroup quickly. The visitors have yet to complete a full day’s play (90 overs) across their first two Tests, a statistic that underscores the urgency of improving their batting resilience. The upcoming day two at Edgbaston promises further action, with both sides aware that momentum can shift swiftly in Test cricket.
For fans eager to follow the drama, day two will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:15 am on Thursday, with streaming options available via NOW for those without a Sky subscription. The series continues to offer a compelling narrative of English dominance, Pakistani reinvention, and the emergence of a new fast‑bowling talent who could reshape the balance of power in the remainder of the match.