England secured a historic home series whitewash against Pakistan, overcoming a nervous start to chase down a modest target of 130 on the fourth day of the third Test at Edgbaston. The prospect of a loss seemed almost unimaginable when Ollie Robinson rattled the visitors early, reducing them to 0 for 2 on the second evening while Pakistan still trailed by 320 runs. Yet the situation grew tense when England themselves lost two wickets in the first over of the fourth morning, raising the spectre of a dramatic collapse. Ben Duckett, who finished the series with a duck, fell first ball to Mohammad Abbas (2‑27) and was promptly followed by Emilio Gay, also out lbw, delivering a stunning opening spell for Pakistan.
The early wickets sparked speculation that England might suffer a calamitous defeat, but the team’s captain, Joe Root, steadied the ship. Root, unbeaten on 62, forged a composed half‑century and then built an unbroken 128‑run partnership with the young Jordan Cox, who contributed a gritty 59. Their stand guided England to the finish line in just 24.2 overs, clinching the match by eight wickets.
The first innings saw Pakistan bowled out for 133 in 33.5 overs, with contributions from Saud Shakeel (43) and Mohammad Abbas (21). England’s bowlers – Josh Tongue (4‑42), Ollie Robinson (3‑15) and Jofra Archer (3‑25) – shared the spoils.
England responded with a massive 453, featuring Harry Brook’s elegant 75, Jamie Smith’s 69, Dan Lawrence’s 65, Emilio Gay’s 60 and a vital 50 from Ollie Robinson. Pakistan’s Razaullah, on debut, claimed four wickets for 148 runs.
In Pakistan’s second innings, they posted 449, with Shan Masood’s near‑century (95), Razaullah’s explosive 81 off 63 balls, Babar Azam’s 76 and Azan Awais’s 59. Gus Atkinson’s three‑wicket haul (3‑109) kept England in the hunt. The final chase was straightforward: Root (62) and Cox (59) steered England to the target, losing only two wickets.
A pivotal moment came when Mohammad Ali overstepped while attempting to bowl Root for 23, delivering a no‑ball that allowed England to recover from 35‑2. That lapse could have altered the outcome, but England’s composure prevailed.
Cox’s performance bolsters his case for a regular place in the side as England prepares for the upcoming three‑match tour of South Africa beginning 17 December. The selectors may also consider Jacob Bethell, who missed the Pakistan series through injury, for a batting role, perhaps even opening alongside Gay. If Gay retains the opening slot, Cox could be drafted as wicket‑keeper, replacing Jamie Smith, who was sidelined by a finger injury during Pakistan’s second innings.
Pakistan briefly entertained the notion of defending a sub‑130 total – a feat not achieved in England since the 1997 Ashes when England set Australia 124 at The Oval. The last successful defence of 130 or fewer 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 demonstrated resilience by extending the match into the fourth day and setting a target that momentarily unsettled England. The series highlighted a promising talent in 21‑year‑old Razaullah.
The debutant dismissed England’s leading run‑scorer Joe Root early in the first innings and later smashed 81 off 63 balls, striking nine fours and matching Tim Southee’s record for most fours by a debutant. His all‑round display – four wickets and a rapid fifty – will be remembered as a bright spot for Pakistan.
Overall, England’s 3‑0 triumph is well deserved, marking Joe Root’s return to the Test captaincy after Ben Stokes’ retirement earlier in the summer. Root praised his side’s ability to navigate uncertainty and noise, emphasizing the clinical nature of their performance and the importance of strong partnerships. He highlighted the need for continued progress as the team heads into winter, where different conditions and surfaces will pose new challenges. Mark Butcher of Sky Sports Cricket noted that England were forced to work for their victory at times, a beneficial experience ahead of the South African tour where the ball may behave differently.
He mentioned a slight concern over the lack of centuries but praised the overall quality of the side. Urooj Mumtaz, also from Sky Sports, pointed out the systemic issues within Pakistan cricket, citing recent defeats in the West Indies, a loss to Bangladesh at home, and a poor away record of 11 losses in 12 matches.
She stressed that while Pakistan showed flashes of quality, sustained improvement is essential for a brighter future. Fans can watch every England match this summer live on Sky Sports, including the upcoming white‑ball series against Sri Lanka, which kicks off with the first T20I on Tuesday. Those without a Sky subscription can explore the latest Sky Sports deals or stream contract‑free via NOW.