England secured a clean sweep of the three‑match Test series against Pakistan on home soil, despite a nervous start that saw the visitors briefly threaten a dramatic comeback. The decisive moment came on the fourth day of the third Test at Edgbaston, when England chased down the modest target of 130 runs with relative ease, wrapping up the series 3‑0.
The early stages of the match hinted at a possible upset. After Pakistan were bowled out for just 133 in their first innings, England’s own batting faltered, losing two wickets in the very first over of the fourth day’s opening session. The loss of Ben Duckett for a golden duck – caught off the first ball from Pakistan paceman Mohammad Abbas, who finished with figures of 2‑27 – seemed to set the tone for a potential collapse. Duckett’s dismissal was quickly followed by Emilio Gay, also out for a duck, leaving England reeling at 0‑2.
However, the situation was swiftly reversed by the host side’s captain, Joe Root, who anchored the chase with a composed 62 not out. Root forged a vital partnership of 128 runs with the young middle‑order batsman Jordan Cox, who contributed a gritty 59 not out.
Their steady accumulation of runs steadied the innings and ensured England reached the target in just 24.2 overs, securing an eight‑wicket victory. The statistical summary of the match tells the full story.
Pakistan’s first innings of 133 all out in 33.5 overs featured a top score of 43 from Saud Shakeel, while England’s bowlers – Josh Tongue (4‑42), Ollie Robinson (3‑15) and Jofra Archer (3‑25) – shared the wickets. In response, England posted a massive 453 in 89 overs, with contributions from Harry Brook (75), Jamie Smith (69), Dan Lawrence (65), Emilio Gay (60) and a half‑century from Ollie Robinson (50).
Pakistan’s second innings of 449 saw a fighting display from Shan Masood (95), debutant Razaullah (81 off 63 balls), Babar Azam (76) and Azan Awais (59), while England’s Gus Atkinson claimed three wickets for 109 runs. The chase itself was relatively straightforward after the early setbacks. Root’s measured 62 and Cox’s aggressive 59 guided England to the finish, with Mohammad Abbas picking up two wickets for 27 runs for Pakistan.
The match also featured a notable incident when Pakistan bowler Mohammad Ali overstepped on a delivery that struck Root’s stumps, granting a no‑ball and allowing England to recover from a precarious 35‑2 position. Cox’s performance will likely bolster his case for retaining a place in England’s Test XI ahead of the upcoming three‑match tour of South Africa, scheduled to begin on 17 December. Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell, who missed the Pakistan series through injury, is expected to return, potentially reshuffling the batting order. There is speculation whether Bethell or Cox could open the innings in place of Emilio Gay, who currently occupies the top slot.
Should Gay retain his opening role, Cox might also serve as a backup wicket‑keeper, covering for Jamie Smith, who missed keeping duties in Pakistan’s second innings due to a finger injury. Historically, defending a target of 130 or fewer in a Test match is a rarity. Pakistan’s brief hope of achieving this feat would have marked the first such defence in England since 1997, when Australia were set 124 at The Oval and were bowled out for 104.
The last successful defence of a sub‑130 total in a Test occurred in 1993, when New Zealand were dismissed for 93 while chasing 127 in Hamilton. Despite a disappointing series overall, Pakistan showed resilience in the final Test by extending the contest into the fourth day and setting a target that momentarily troubled England. A bright spot for the visitors was the emergence of 21‑year‑old fast‑bowling prodigy Razaullah, who made an immediate impact by dismissing England’s all‑time leading run‑scorer Joe Root with just his fourth ball in Test cricket and later delivering a four‑wicket haul. His explosive batting – 81 runs off 63 balls, featuring nine sixes – equalled the debut record for most sixes hit in an innings, a feat previously held by Tim Southee.
England’s comprehensive 3‑0 series win underscores the successful transition of captaincy to Joe Root following Ben Stokes’ retirement earlier in the summer. Root praised his side’s ability to navigate the “uncertainty, noise and chaos” that surrounded the series, highlighting the clinical nature of their performances and the significance of the final partnership that sealed the series. He noted the importance of contributions from across the squad and expressed optimism about the team’s direction heading into the winter months and the forthcoming South African tour.
Commentary from Sky Sports’ Mark Butcher echoed the sentiment, acknowledging that England were occasionally tested, which was beneficial for preparing for varied conditions, especially those expected in South Africa where the ball may not move as much laterally. He also mentioned a slight concern over the lack of centuries but overall praised the team’s dominance throughout the series. Conversely, Sky Sports’ analyst Urooj Mumtaz highlighted the broader challenges facing Pakistan cricket. She pointed out the team’s recent string of defeats – 11 losses in 12 away matches and 15 defeats in the last 20 Tests – and emphasized the need for sustained improvement to revive Pakistan’s fortunes on the international stage.
Fans can continue to follow England’s summer campaign, including the upcoming white‑ball series against Sri Lanka, via Sky Sports. Those without a Sky subscription can explore alternative streaming options such as NOW for contract‑free viewing.