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 all out and then reaching 156 for four, carving out a 23‑run lead. The day began with England electing to put Pakistan in to bat in overcast conditions, a decision that quickly proved astute as the hosts were bowled out in just 33.5 overs – their briefest innings of the series and a stark reminder of the batting woes that have plagued them throughout the tour. Pakistan’s total was built around a gritty 43 from Saud Shakeel and a useful 21 from Mohammad Abbas, but the rest of the line‑up offered little resistance.
England’s pace attack ran through the Pakistani order with ruthless efficiency. Josh Tongue claimed four wickets for 42 runs, removing captain Babar Azam for seven, the lower‑order Mohammad Imran for five and the lone bright spot, Shakeel, for 43. Ollie Robinson added three for 15, celebrating his 100th Test wicket, while Jofra Archer contributed three for 25. The combined effort left Pakistan reeling at 133, a score that underscored the gulf in quality between the two sides.
When England’s turn arrived at the crease, their top order faltered early, slipping to 39 for three. Joe Root, who had already been dismissed lbw ten times in his last thirteen innings, fell for a modest eight, trapped by the impressive debutant pacer Razaullah, who finished with figures of two for 42. However, the innings was rescued by a late‑order partnership that displayed both composure and aggression. Emilio Gay, the left‑handed batsman, struck a fluent 60, while Harry Brook, playing a fearless knock, notched 52 not out.
Their 104‑run stand for the fourth wicket turned the tide, pushing England past the 150‑run mark and establishing a modest but valuable lead. The day also featured several noteworthy moments beyond the raw statistics.
Robinson’s 100th Test wicket was a highlight, and his early dismissal of Saim Ayub for a golden duck in just the third over highlighted the relentless pressure England’s bowlers applied. Meanwhile, Razaullah, the 21‑year‑old Pakistani newcomer, made an immediate impact by removing Root with a sharp delivery that demonstrated both pace and swing – a performance that drew praise from Sky Sports commentators. Post‑match, England fast bowler Josh Tongue spoke to Sky Sports Cricket about the team’s performance.
He expressed satisfaction with the early results, noting that winning the toss and forcing Pakistan to bat on a pitch that appeared good for batting made the cheap dismissal all the more impressive. Tongue highlighted his work on a wobble delivery in the nets, which paid dividends when he claimed a wicket with it during the match. He also emphasized the collective strength of the English bowlers throughout the series, crediting the aggressive lines and lengths that yielded early breakthroughs.
Commentators Nasser Hussain and Urooj Mumtaz added context to Pakistan’s struggles. Hussain pointed out that Pakistan had been seeking a new approach from their bowlers for some time, and Razaullah’s spell provided the much‑needed variation and pace, even managing to dismiss the world‑class Joe Root. Mumtaz, reflecting on Razaullah’s debut, marveled at the youngster’s speed – clocking between 89 and 91 mph – and praised the selection as an inspired move that injected the “X‑factor” England needed. The broader narrative of the series remains stark.
Pakistan have now failed to bat through a full day’s play (90 overs) in any of the first two Tests, a statistic that highlights the fragility of their batting lineup. Their 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 XI, and three debutants were introduced.
While opener Saim Ayub earned his first cap, his brief stay at the crease – dismissed for a 10‑ball duck – underscored the steep learning curve facing the newcomers. Looking ahead, England will aim to build on their first‑innings lead, while Pakistan must regroup and find a way to post competitive totals if they hope to stay in the contest.
The day’s events set the stage for an intriguing second day, with the visitors needing to respond to the pressure of a deficit and the hosts looking to capitalize on their early dominance. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:15 am on Thursday, with streaming options available for those without a traditional Sky subscription.