England secured a comprehensive home series whitewash against Pakistan, wrapping up the three‑match Test contest with a decisive victory on the fourth day of the final Test at Edgbaston. The win came after a nervous start, but the English side, led by captain Joe Root, steadied the ship and chased down a modest target of 130 runs with eight wickets in hand, finishing the chase in just 24.2 overs. The prospect of England losing the Test seemed far‑fetched when Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Ollie Robinson, reduced the visitors to 0‑2 early on the second evening.
At that stage Pakistan still trailed by a hefty 320 runs, yet the early loss of two wickets in England’s first over of the fourth morning revived doubts. Ben Duckett, who had already endured a miserable series, was dismissed on the very first ball he faced, caught by Mohammad Abbas (2‑27). The dismissal was followed quickly by a lbw decision against Emilio Gay (0), leaving England in a precarious position. However, the fears of a catastrophic collapse were swiftly allayed when Root, unbeaten on 62, crafted a composed half‑century.
He forged a vital, unbeaten partnership of 128 runs with the young Jordan Cox, who contributed 59 runs. Their stand steadied the innings and propelled England to the required total with plenty of overs to spare. The chase was completed in 24.2 overs, with England finishing on 130‑2, securing an eight‑wicket win and sealing the series 3‑0. **First innings scores** - Pakistan: 133 all out in 33.5 overs (Saud Shakeel 43, Mohammad Abbas 21; Josh Tongue 4‑42, Ollie Robinson 3‑15, Jofra Archer 3‑25) - England: 453 all out in 89 overs (Harry Brook 75, Jamie Smith 69, Dan Lawrence 65, Emilio Gay 60, Ollie Robinson 50; Razaullah 4‑148) **Second innings scores** - Pakistan: 449 all out in 96.4 overs (Shan Masood 95, Razaullah 81 off 63 balls, Babar Azam 76, Azan Awais 59; Gus Atkinson 3‑109) - England: 130‑2 in 24.2 overs (Joe Root 62, Jordan Cox 59; Mohammad Abbas 2‑27) A pivotal moment in the match came when Pakistan’s fast bowler Mohammad Ali over‑stepped while delivering a ball that struck Root for 23 runs.
The no‑ball allowed Root to continue his innings, and at that juncture England were 35‑2. The reprieve proved crucial in maintaining momentum. Jordan Cox’s half‑century will bolster his case for retaining a spot in England’s Test XI ahead of the upcoming three‑match tour of South Africa, which begins on 17 December.
The team also hopes to see the return of Jacob Bethell, who missed the Pakistan series through injury. There is speculation whether Bethell or Cox might open the batting in place of Emilio Gay, and whether Cox could assume wicket‑keeping duties should Jamie Smith’s finger injury persist. Pakistan briefly entertained the notion of defending a target of 130 or fewer, a feat not achieved in England since the 1997 Ashes when England set Australia 124 at The Oval.
The last successful defence of such a low total in a Test in England dates back to 1993, when New Zealand were bowled out for 93 while chasing 127 at Hamilton. Though Pakistan ultimately fell short, they displayed resilience by extending the match into the fourth day and presenting England with a brief challenge. A bright spot for Pakistan was the debut of 21‑year‑old Razaullah, who impressed with both ball and bat. He dismissed England’s leading run‑scorer Joe Root early in the first innings, claiming his wicket with only his fourth delivery in Test cricket, and went on to claim four wickets overall.
With the bat, Razaullah exploded for 81 runs off just 63 balls on the third evening, striking nine fours and matching Tim Southee’s record for the most fours by a debutant. His aggressive cameo gave Pakistan a fighting chance, even as they were still two runs behind when their eighth wicket fell.
Overall, England’s 3‑0 series win was well earned, marking a triumphant return for Joe Root as Test captain after Ben Stokes retired from international cricket earlier in the summer. Root reflected on the series, noting the “uncertainty, noise and chaos” that surrounded the build‑up, but praising his side’s clinical approach and the partnership that saw them home. He highlighted the importance of contributions from across the squad and expressed optimism about the team’s direction heading into the winter and the forthcoming South Africa tour. Former England opener Mark Butcher of Sky Sports praised the side’s ability to handle pressure, suggesting the series offered valuable lessons for adapting to different conditions, especially the slower, less‑lateral movement expected in South Africa.
He also mentioned a slight concern over the lack of centuries but emphasized the overall positive aspects of England’s performance. Urooj Mumtaz, also from Sky Sports, offered a stark assessment of Pakistan cricket, pointing to a series of recent defeats, including a loss to Bangladesh at home and a drawn series in the West Indies.
She highlighted the troubling statistics: 11 losses out of 12 away matches and 15 defeats in the last 20 Tests, underscoring the need for substantial, long‑term improvements within Pakistan’s cricketing structure. Fans can continue to follow England’s summer campaign, including the upcoming white‑ball series against Sri Lanka, on Sky Sports.
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