England’s pace attack ripped through Pakistan’s batting as the tourists were bowled out for 133 on the opening day of the third and final Test at Edgbaston.
Josh Tongue was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 42, while Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer took three wickets each. Robinson was particularly impressive, conceding just 15 runs from 11 overs.
Pakistan were already struggling at 100 for seven at lunch. Robinson struck with the third ball after the break, dismissing debutant Razaullah. The batter edged an outswinger to slip, where Ben Duckett held on.
Tongue then removed Saud Shakeel for 43 from 47 balls, ending the only significant resistance in Pakistan’s innings. The seamer found a way through the batter’s defence to hit his off stump.
Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali added 26 for the final wicket, giving Pakistan their best partnership of the innings. Their stand was also better than the combined 20 runs scored by Pakistan’s opening pairs across the first five innings of the series.
Archer ended the innings when Abbas edged to second slip, completing his three-wicket haul.
Pakistan’s collapse had started early. They were reduced to 48 for five by the 15th over, with captain Babar Azam already back in the dressing room.
Saim Ayub survived an early lbw scare after successfully reviewing the decision, but Robinson trapped him in front in his next over. The wicket gave Robinson his 100th in Test cricket.
England kept the pressure on. Azan Awais was dropped by Duckett at first slip before Tongue took the catch himself at midwicket three balls later.
Robinson then removed Abdullah Shafique, caught by Dan Lawrence, while Archer dismissed Shan Masood for a tame top edge.
At 26 for four, Pakistan needed Babar to steady the innings. Instead, he fell for seven, bowled by a delivery from Tongue that moved in from a good length.
With three players making their debuts, Shakeel led the resistance. Ghazi Ghori briefly provided some attacking intent, hitting Tongue for four from his first Test ball, but the seamer soon trapped him lbw.
Shakeel struck two boundaries before Tongue bowled Mohammad Imran Randhawa with a yorker. Razaullah also hit two boundaries but could not prevent the collapse.
Pakistan were eventually dismissed for 133, leaving England firmly in control.
