England once again imposed their dominance 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 modest 23‑run lead. The day was defined by a blend of disciplined bowling, a few late‑order heroics and a stark reminder of Pakistan's ongoing batting woes. The innings began under overcast skies, a condition that England’s captain, Joe Root, chose to exploit by putting Pakistan in to bat after winning the toss. The decision proved justified as the Pakistani lineup crumbled quickly, bowled out in just 33.5 overs – their briefest innings of the series and one of the shortest in the entire contest.
The top‑order contributed little, with Saud Shakeel the only batsman to reach a half‑century, scoring 43 before being dismissed by Josh Tongue. Mohammad Abbas added a useful 21 runs, but the rest of the order offered scant resistance.
England’s pace attack was relentless. Josh Tongue claimed four wickets for 42 runs, removing captain Babar Azam for a paltry seven, as well as Mohammad Imran and the resilient Shakeel. Ollie Robinson, fresh from a career‑best 100th Test wicket, produced an economical spell of three for 15, while Jofra Archer added three for 25, keeping the pressure relentless. The Pakistani debutant pacer Razaullah, a 21‑year‑old who would later become the talk of the day, finished with two wickets for 42 runs, including the prized dismissal of Root – his tenth lbw in just 13 innings, a testament to his early impact.
Root’s wicket fell early in England’s reply, but the innings recovered thanks to a vital partnership between the young left‑hander Emilio Gay and the hard‑hitting Harry Brook. Gay, who scored a composed 60, and Brook, who notched an unbeaten 52, steadied the ship after England found themselves precariously placed at 39 for three.
Their 104‑run stand for the fourth wicket not only erased the early setback but also propelled England into the lead, allowing them to finish the day at 156 for four. The day also featured several notable moments beyond the raw numbers.
Robinson celebrated his 100th Test wicket, a milestone that underscored his growing reputation as a reliable strike bowler for England. Meanwhile, Tongue spoke to Sky Sports Cricket after the match, expressing satisfaction with the day’s outcome: "Winning the toss, putting Pakistan in to bat and then bowling them out cheaply on a decent‑looking pitch felt great. I was able to be aggressive with my line and length, and even tried a wobble I’d been practicing in the nets – it paid off with a wicket." Razaullah’s emergence was perhaps the most intriguing storyline. The youngster’s fourth‑ball delivery in Test cricket dismissed Root with a sharp, in‑the‑zone ball that left the English batsman bewildered.
Sky Sports analyst Nasser Hussain praised the performance, noting that Pakistan had been searching for something different from their bowlers for a long time and that Razaullah’s pace and variation provided that missing X‑factor. Urooj Mumtaz, also from Sky Sports, highlighted the significance of Razaullah’s debut, remarking that the 21‑year‑old was on his first overseas flight and already bowled at speeds approaching 91 mph, maintaining that intensity throughout his spell.
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 ahead of the Edgbaston Test. Seven players were dropped entirely, four changes were made to the starting eleven, and three newcomers made their Test debuts. Among them, opener Saim Ayub, the only one with prior Test experience, was dismissed for a golden duck by Robinson in the third over – a harsh welcome to the series. The middle and lower order of Pakistan displayed brief flashes of resilience.
After the early onslaught, the pair of Azan Awais and Shan Masood offered simple catches that were easily taken by England’s fielders, further exposing Pakistan’s frailty. Even the partnership between Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali, who added 26 runs for the final wicket, was a modest bright spot in an otherwise bleak innings. Ali, nursing a sore ankle, managed to open the bowling for England and claimed the wicket of Ben Duckett with a sharp edge to second slip.
Overall, the first day painted a clear picture: England’s bowlers have found the right rhythm, and their middle order, anchored by Gay and Brook, can rebuild after early losses. Pakistan, on the other hand, continues to grapple with a fragile batting line‑up despite the infusion of fresh talent. The series narrative now hinges on whether the Pakistani side can adapt and produce a more competitive total in the second innings, or if England will extend their advantage and clinch the series outright.
Fans can catch the action of day two of the third Test live on Sky Sports Cricket starting at 10:15 am on Thursday. For those without a Sky subscription, various streaming options and promotional deals are available through NOW and other platforms.