England seized control of the third Test at Edgbaston on 9 September 2026, dismissing Pakistan for 133 and reaching 156 for four by the close of play. The hosts' 23-run lead after just one day reflected Pakistan's continued struggles in a series England has already won 2-0, with 14 wickets falling across 73 overs of cricket.
Pakistan's preparation for this match underscored the scale of their crisis. The touring party underwent wholesale changes, with seven players removed from the squad and seven replacements drafted in, followed by four alterations to the starting XI. The Pakistan Cricket Board opened an internal disciplinary inquiry into discipline and conduct concerns affecting the touring squad during the series, adding institutional turbulence to on-field difficulties.
How did England's bowlers dominate?
England's attack dismantled Pakistan's batting under overcast conditions that favoured seam bowling. Josh Tongue claimed four wickets for 42 runs, while Ollie Robinson took three for 15 and Jofra Archer finished with three wickets, despite having expressed reservations beforehand about Edgbaston's reputation for producing flat pitches.
Robinson's performance carried particular significance: his first wicket of the match marked his 100th in Test cricket, making him the first Englishman to reach that milestone with a sub-20 bowling average since Ian Botham in his early career. The 28-year-old's efficiency underscored England's bowling depth on a day when conditions favoured the seamers.
Pakistan's sole bright spot came from 21-year-old debutant Razaullah, whose slingy, chest-on action—reminiscent of Waqar Younis at his peak—generated pace exceeding 92mph. Bowling with just his fourth delivery in Test cricket, Razaullah dismissed Joe Root after tea and finished with two for 42, offering fleeting encouragement to Pakistan's supporters before the innings collapsed.
What did England achieve with the bat?
England's reply proved more substantial than Pakistan's total, with Emilio Gay and Harry Brook combining in a 105-run partnership that may reshape the team's selection plans. Gay compiled 60 from 114 balls, his third Test half-century, playing with the kind of application that could secure him a place on the plane to South Africa for England's winter tour. He struck nine boundaries and weathered difficult conditions, including an eye-watering blow to his knee from an inside edge off Razaullah's bowling.
Gay's innings was not without peril. Ben Duckett fell attempting aggressive strokes early on, while Jordan Cox became another victim of Mohammad Abbas's lbw expertise. Yet Gay's composure and technique stood out against bowling that moved substantially off the seam. His dismissal—bowled by Razaullah half an hour before stumps—came only after he had demonstrated the substance required at international level.
Brook, batting at number five, remained unbeaten on 52, having scrapped his way through challenging bowling to build a partnership that Root had explicitly called for during a summer dominated by bowlers exploiting the Dukes ball's wobble-seam characteristics. The 23-year-old's gritty approach complemented Gay's more fluent strokeplay, establishing a foundation England will seek to extend on day two.
What is Pakistan's broader situation?
Pakistan's squad for this match included established names such as Babar Azam, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel and Saim Ayub, alongside wicketkeepers Saad Baig and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori. Yet the wholesale changes and disciplinary inquiry reflect institutional instability extending beyond selection decisions. England, by contrast, made targeted adjustments: Brydon Carse was left out of England's squad, with his omission linked to an ongoing police investigation into an alleged assault connected to a late-night incident in Derby, while Sonny Baker was retained and Matthew Fisher dropped as England targeted a 3-0 series sweep.
The series trajectory has been one-sided. England won the first two Tests decisively, and this third encounter at Edgbaston—scheduled to run from 9 to 13 September 2026—offers Pakistan a final opportunity to salvage dignity before the tour concludes.
What happens next?
Play resumes on 10 September 2026, with four days remaining in the match. England's 23-run lead and Pakistan's batting fragility suggest the hosts will press for victory, though the outcome of the series is already determined. Pakistan must rebuild their innings and find a way to trouble England's batsmen on a pitch that has already shown considerable movement for the seamers.
Key Facts
- England lead by 23 runs after day one, having dismissed Pakistan for 133 and scored 156 for four
- Josh Tongue took four wickets, Ollie Robinson three, and Jofra Archer three in England's bowling display
- Emilio Gay's 60 and Harry Brook's unbeaten 52 built a 105-run partnership that may influence England's selection for the South Africa tour
- Pakistan made seven squad changes ahead of this match and face an internal disciplinary inquiry into conduct concerns
- England have already won the series 2-0 and can complete a clean sweep with victory at Edgbaston
