England secured a historic home series whitewash against Pakistan, overcoming a nervous start to chase down a modest target of 130 runs on the fourth day of the third Test at Edgbaston. The prospect of a loss seemed almost unimaginable when England’s fast bowler Ollie Robinson rattled the visitors early, reducing them to 0‑2 on the second evening while Pakistan still trailed by 320 runs.
Yet the tension escalated further when England’s own openers fell for ducks in the first over of the final morning, hinting that the match could slip away. Ben Duckett, who had already endured a disappointing series, was the first English wicket to fall, caught off the very first ball from Pakistan paceman Mohammad Abbas (figures 2‑27).
The dismissal was followed by a rare lbw against Emilio Gay, who was also out for a duck, leaving England in a precarious position after just two balls of the day’s play. However, any fears of a catastrophic defeat were quickly allayed by the composure of the England captain.
Joe Root, unbeaten on 62, forged a measured yet aggressive half‑century, while his partner Jordan Cox, also unbeaten on 59, contributed a steady stream of runs. Their unbroken 128‑run stand guided England to the required total in just 24.2 overs, sealing an eight‑wicket victory and completing a 3‑0 series sweep.
**Match Summary** - **Pakistan 1st innings:** 133 all out (33.5 overs). Notable contributions: Saud Shakeel 43, Mohammad Abbas 21.
England bowlers: Josh Tongue 4‑42, Ollie Robinson 3‑15, Jofra Archer 3‑25. - **England 1st innings:** 453 all out (89 overs). Key scores: Harry Brook 75, Jamie Smith 69, Dan Lawrence 65, Emilio Gay 60, Ollie Robinson 50. Pakistan bowler Razaullah (4‑148) took four wickets.
- **Pakistan 2nd innings:** 449 all out (96.4 overs). Highlights: Shan Masood 95, debutant Razaullah 81 off 63 balls, Babar Azam 76, Azan Awais 59. England’s Gus Atkinson claimed 3‑109.
- **England 2nd innings (chase):** 130‑2 (24.2 overs). Top scores: Joe Root 62* and Jordan Cox 59*. A pivotal moment in the series came when Pakistan bowler Mohammad Ali over‑stepped while attempting to dismiss Root for 23.
The no‑ball allowed Root to continue his innings, and England were only 35‑2 at that stage. That missed opportunity proved costly for Pakistan, as England recovered and ultimately chased down the target with ease.
Cox’s half‑century will be under close scrutiny as England prepare for their upcoming three‑match tour of South Africa, set to begin on 17 December. The performance strengthens his case for retaining a place in the Test XI. Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell, who missed the Pakistan series through injury, is expected to re‑join the squad. Speculation abounds about whether Bethell or Cox might open the batting in place of Emilio Gay, who currently occupies the top‑order slot.
If Gay remains the opener, Cox could still feature as a specialist wicket‑keeper, a role currently filled by Jamie Smith. Smith missed keeping duties in Pakistan’s second innings due to a finger injury, although he has a three‑month window to recover fully. Pakistan briefly entertained the notion of defending a total under 130 – a feat not achieved in England since the 1997 Ashes when England set Australia 124 and bowled them out for 104.
The last successful defence of a sub‑130 target in England occurred in 1993 when New Zealand were dismissed for 93 while chasing 127 at Hamilton. Though Pakistan’s effort fell short, the final Test showcased a fighting spirit as they pushed England into a fourth‑day chase. A bright spot for Pakistan was the emergence of 21‑year‑old fast‑bowling prodigy Razaullah. On his fourth ball in Test cricket, he dismissed England’s all‑time leading run‑scorer Joe Root in the first innings and later claimed four wickets.
His explosive batting in the second innings – 81 runs off just 63 deliveries, striking nine sixes – equalled Tim Southee’s record for most sixes by a debutant. When Pakistan’s eighth wicket fell, they were merely two runs behind England, suggesting a potential upset before Razaullah’s late‑order heroics pushed the total beyond England’s reach. Ultimately, England’s comprehensive 3‑0 series win reflects the resurgence of Joe Root’s captaincy after Ben Stokes’ retirement earlier in the summer.
Root praised his side’s resilience and clinical approach despite the “uncertainty, noise and chaos” that surrounded the series. He highlighted the importance of partnerships, especially the decisive stand that sealed the final Test, and expressed optimism about the team’s direction heading into the winter and the upcoming South Africa tour.
England’s head coach and analysts echoed similar sentiments. Sky Sports’ former England opener Mark Butcher noted that the series forced England to confront varying conditions, a valuable lesson for future tours where the ball may not move laterally as much.
He also pointed out a slight concern over the lack of centuries but affirmed that the overall performance was strong. Conversely, Sky Sports’ Urooj Mumtaz offered a sobering view of Pakistan cricket, citing a series of recent disappointments: losses in the West Indies, a home series defeat to Bangladesh, and a dismal away record of 11 defeats in 12 matches. She emphasized that while Pakistan showed flashes of talent, particularly from Razaullah, systemic issues need addressing for sustained improvement.
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