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 absurd when Ollie Robinson skittled Pakistan for just two wickets on the second evening, leaving the visitors 320 runs behind. Yet the match teetered on a knife‑edge when England themselves lost two quick wickets in the first over of the final day's chase. Ben Duckett, who had endured a dismal series, was the first to fall, caught on the first ball by Mohammad Abbas, who claimed his second wicket for 27 runs.
The dismissal was followed swiftly by an lbw decision against Emilio Gay, ending a dramatic opening spell for Pakistan. The early panic that England might succumb to a humiliating defeat was quickly quelled by captain Joe Root, who, after a brief period of uncertainty, compiled a composed 62 not out. He forged a vital, unbeaten 128‑run partnership with the young Jordan Cox, who contributed a gritty 59 not out. Their steady accumulation of runs saw England reach the target in just 24.2 overs, sealing an eight‑wicket victory.
**First innings summary** Pakistan were bowled out for 133 in 33.5 overs, with Saud Shakeel top‑scoring with 43 and Mohammad Abbas adding 21. England’s bowlers shared the spoils: Josh Tongue took 4‑42, Ollie Robinson 3‑15 and Jofra Archer 3‑25. In reply, England posted a commanding 453 in 89 overs. Harry Brook led the way with a fluent 75, while Jamie Smith (69), Dan Lawrence (65), Emilio Gay (60) and Ollie Robinson (50) also made substantial contributions.
Pakistan’s pace attack, spearheaded by Razaullah, was expensive, conceding 148 runs. **Second innings summary** Pakistan rallied in the second innings, amassing 449 in 96.4 overs. Shan Masood produced a resilient 95, while Razaullah exploded with a rapid 81 off just 63 balls, matching Tim Southee’s debut record for sixes (nine). Babar Azam added 76 and Azan Awais contributed 59.
Gus Atkinson claimed 3‑109 for England. **Fourth‑day chase** England needed 130 to win and were 35‑2 when a crucial moment unfolded: Mohammad Ali over‑stepped while bowling at Root, delivering a no‑ball that allowed the captain to stay at the crease.
Root, undeterred, continued his innings and, together with Cox, guided England home without further loss. The victory not only gave England a 3‑0 series sweep but also marked Joe Root’s first full series as Test captain following Ben Stokes’ retirement earlier in the summer. Root praised his side’s composure, saying, "The amount of uncertainty, noise and chaos coming into the series was huge, but the way the guys dealt with it, staying clinical and finishing with a 3‑0 win, is really pleasing." **Implications for England** Cox’s half‑century bolsters his case for a regular spot in the England XI as they prepare for the upcoming three‑match tour of South Africa starting on 17 December. Injured all‑rounder Jacob Bethell is expected to return, raising questions about the opening partnership—whether Bethell or Cox might replace Emilio Gay at the top of the order.
Should Gay retain his opening berth, Cox could still feature as a specialist wicket‑keeper, covering for Jamie Smith, who missed keeping duties in Pakistan’s second innings due to a finger injury. **Pakistan’s bright spots** Despite a dismal series, Pakistan displayed moments of promise, most notably through 21‑year‑old Razaullah. The debutant dismissed England’s all‑time leading run‑scorer Joe Root in the first innings with just his fourth ball, later claiming four wickets in the match. His explosive 81‑run cameo in the third evening, punctuated by nine sixes, will be remembered as a highlight of the tour.
However, the overall series record—11 losses in 12 away Tests and 15 defeats in the last 20 Tests—underscores the challenges facing Pakistani cricket. **Expert commentary** Sky Sports’ former England opener Mark Butcher observed, "They were made to sweat at times, which is a good thing.
It gave England pause for thought about adapting to different conditions, especially ahead of the South Africa tour where the ball may not move as much laterally." Urooj Mumtaz of Sky Sports added a broader perspective on Pakistan’s struggles: "There are major problems with Pakistan cricket. They’ve lost this series, drawn in the West Indies, and lost at home to Bangladesh. Their away record is alarming—11 defeats in 12 matches. They need sustained improvement to secure a brighter future." **Looking ahead** England will head into the winter with confidence, having secured two 400‑plus scores in challenging conditions.
The team will now focus on maintaining momentum, refining techniques for varied pitches, and ensuring that contributions come from across the squad. For Pakistan, the tour ends with lessons learned and a young talent in Razaullah to build around, but significant restructuring will be required to reverse the current downward trend. Fans can continue to follow England’s summer campaign, including the white‑ball series against Sri Lanka, on Sky Sports.
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