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 an early scare when Pakistan briefly reduced England to 0‑2 in their chase of a modest target of 130, but a steady partnership between the captains turned the tide and sealed the series 3‑0. The opening day of the fourth innings saw Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Mohammad Abbas, make early inroads, dismissing Ben Duckett for a first‑ball duck and then removing Emilio Gay leg‑before‑wicket.
The early wickets raised genuine concerns that England might falter, especially after Ollie Robinson had already stripped Pakistan of a massive first‑innings lead, leaving them 320 runs behind at the close of the second day. Yet the hosts steadied themselves when Joe Root, the newly reinstated Test captain, struck a composed 62 not out. His half‑century was complemented by a vigorous 59‑run stand from the young Jordan Cox, who also remained unbeaten. Their 128‑run partnership, built without losing another wicket, ensured England reached the required 130 with eight wickets in hand after just 24.2 overs.
Pakistan’s first innings had been a mixed bag. After a solid start, they were bowled out for 133 in just 33.5 overs, with Mohammad Abbas claiming two wickets for 27 runs and Josh Tongue adding four for 42. England’s bowlers, particularly Ollie Robinson (3‑15) and Jofra Archer (3‑25), exploited the conditions to keep the visitors under pressure.
In reply, England posted a commanding 453, thanks to a quartet of half‑centuries: Harry Brook (75), Jamie Smith (69), Dan Lawrence (65) and Emilio Gay (60). Ollie Robinson also contributed a quickfire 50, while Pakistan’s pacer Razaullah (4‑148) struggled to contain the run flow. Pakistan’s second innings showed more resilience.
Openers Shan Masood (95) and Razaullah (81 off 63 balls) provided a solid platform, with Babar Azam adding 76 and Azan Awais 59. Gus Atkinson’s three‑wicket haul (3‑109) could not prevent Pakistan from posting 449, leaving England a target of 130 to win the match.
The chase began poorly, with the hosts losing two wickets in the first over, but Root’s measured innings and Cox’s aggressive approach steadied the ship. Their partnership not only erased the deficit but also highlighted the depth of England’s batting order, allowing them to cross the finish line comfortably. A notable moment in the series was the debut of 21‑year‑old Razaullah, who made an immediate impact. He dismissed England’s all‑time leading run‑scorer, Joe Root, on his fourth ball in Test cricket, and later claimed four wickets in the first innings.
With the bat, his explosive 81 off 63 balls, featuring nine sixes, matched Tim Southee’s record for the most sixes by a debutant. His performance offered a glimpse of raw talent for Pakistan, even as the team struggled overall.
The series also sparked discussions about England’s future line‑up. Cox’s half‑century bolstered his case for retaining a place in the starting XI ahead of the upcoming three‑match tour of South Africa beginning on 17 December. Injured all‑rounder Jacob Bethell is expected to return, prompting speculation about whether he or Cox might open the batting in place of Emilio Gay.
Additionally, with wicket‑keeping duties disrupted by Jamie Smith’s finger injury, Cox could be considered as a backup behind the stumps. Historically, defending a target of 130 or less in a Test match is a rare feat in England. The last occurrence was in the 1997 Ashes when England set Australia 124 and bowled them out for 104.
Pakistan’s brief hope of achieving a similar upset echoed New Zealand’s 1993 triumph over England, when they defended 93 and chased down 127 at Hamilton. Despite the series loss, Pakistan displayed moments of fighting spirit, particularly in extending the match to the fourth day and posting a competitive second‑innings total. However, the overall record of 3‑0 underscores England’s dominance and the successful return of Joe Root to the captaincy after Ben Stokes’ retirement earlier in the summer. Root reflected on the victory, noting the “uncertainty, noise and chaos” that surrounded the series and praising his team’s clinical approach.
He highlighted the significance of the partnership that secured the win and expressed optimism about the squad’s progress heading into the winter and upcoming tours. He also emphasized the collective contributions from the side, suggesting that the group’s depth will be crucial as they face varied conditions abroad. Former England opener Mark Butcher, speaking for Sky Sports Cricket, observed that the series forced England to confront challenging moments, which he viewed positively.
He pointed out the importance of adapting to different conditions, especially with the South African tour on the horizon, and noted the lack of centuries as a slight concern but overall praised the team’s performance. Urooj Mumtaz, also with Sky Sports, offered a candid assessment of Pakistan cricket, citing systemic issues and a string of poor results both at home and abroad. She highlighted the need for sustained improvement to rebuild Pakistan’s fortunes in the longer format. Fans can continue to follow England’s summer schedule, including the limited‑overs series against Sri Lanka, on Sky Sports.
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