England defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the third Test at Edgbaston to win the three-match Test series 3-0. In the fourth innings, England chased down a target of 130 in the 25th over after losing two wickets, with captain Joe Root unbeaten on 62 and Jordan Cox unbeaten on 59.
Joe Root Sets New Test Record for Most Fifties
Joe Root completed his 69th Test half-century in the Edgbaston Test, moving past India great Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 68 Test half-centuries.
Root reached the record while scoring an unbeaten 62 in England’s fourth innings. He and Jordan Cox added an unbeaten 128 runs for the third wicket to take England to the target.
England Lose Both Openers in the First Over
England made a difficult start to the chase after losing both opening batters in the first over.
Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas dismissed Ben Duckett caught by the wicketkeeper with the first ball. He then dismissed Emilio Gay LBW to give England their second wicket.
After the early setbacks, Root and Cox remained at the crease and guided England to the target in the 25th over.
Root and Cox Add Unbeaten 128-Run Partnership
Root and Cox rebuilt England’s innings after the two early wickets, putting together an unbeaten 128-run partnership for the third wicket.
Cox completed his third Test half-century and finished unbeaten on 59.
Root survived a dismissal on 23. In the 10th over, he was bowled by Mohammad Ali, but the umpire found that the bowler’s foot was outside the crease. The delivery was declared a no-ball, allowing Root to continue. He went on to finish unbeaten on 62.
Pakistan’s Second Innings Led by Babar, Masood and Awais
Pakistan also made a poor start to its second innings, losing Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique with the score on zero. Shan Masood and Aazan Awais then added 125 runs for the third wicket.
Aazan Awais scored 59 with 10 fours. After his dismissal, Babar Azam came to the crease and scored 76 from 103 balls, hitting 11 fours and one six.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood was dismissed for 95.
These contributions helped Pakistan post a target of 130 for England in the fourth innings.
Debutant Razzaullah Contributes with Bat and Ball
Pakistan debutant Razzaullah was among the team’s key performers in the second innings. Pakistan were 312 for eight at one stage before Razzaullah helped extend the innings.
He scored 81 from 63 balls, including nine sixes, and added 121 runs for the ninth wicket with Mohammad Abbas. Abbas contributed 42.
Razzaullah also took four wickets in the match.
Pakistan Bowled Out for 449 in Second Innings
Dan Lawrence ended Razzaullah’s innings by stumping him in the 96.4th over, bringing Pakistan’s second innings to an end.
Pakistan scored 449 in the second innings. The partnership between Razzaullah and Abbas helped the team recover from a difficult position and set England a target of 130.
Pakistan Bowled Out for 133 in First Innings
Pakistan were dismissed for 133 in the first innings. None of their first five batters reached double figures.
Saim Ayub was dismissed without scoring, while Aazan Awais scored 9, Abdullah Shafique 3, Shan Masood 5 and Babar Azam 7.
Saud Shakeel scored 43 and Mohammad Abbas 21 to take Pakistan to 133. Razzaullah took four wickets for Pakistan.
England Take 320-Run First-Innings Lead
England responded with 453 in their first innings, giving them a 320-run lead.
Harry Brook scored 75, Dan Lawrence made 65, Jamie Smith scored 69 and Ollie Robinson made 50.
Razzaullah took four wickets for Pakistan, but England’s first-innings lead left Pakistan needing a substantial second-innings effort.
England Complete 3-0 Series Sweep
England’s eight-wicket victory at Edgbaston completed a 3-0 series win over Pakistan. England won all three Tests in the series.
The result also marked Joe Root’s 69th Test half-century, taking him past Sachin Tendulkar’s 68. Root finished the match unbeaten on 62 as England completed the chase of 130.
