9, 2026. (AP) Ollie Robinson celebrates the wicket of Pakistan’s Abdullah Shafique, caught out by Dan Lawrence, during day one of the third test match between England and Pakistan, at Edgbaston, in Birmingham, England, Wednesday, Sept.
Pakistan’s batting problems continued in the third and final Test against England as the visitors were bowled out for 133 at Edgbaston on the first day. Josh Tongue took 4-42, while Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer picked up three wickets each as Pakistan were dismissed in 44.3 overs. England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to bowl.
After losing the first two Tests at Leeds and Lord’s, Pakistan made several changes to their squad but could not stop another batting collapse.
England Takes Control with 23-Run Lead at Stumps
England ended the day at 156-4, establishing a 23-run lead over Pakistan. Key contributions came from Emilio Gay and Harry Brook, both of whom scored half-centuries, helping the hosts gain a firm grip on the match before stumps. Notably, Joe Root was dismissed lbw, marking the 10th time he has fallen to this mode of dismissal in his last 13 innings.
Pakistan’s batting struggles continued, with player Shakeel expressing concern over repeated mistakes. He stated, “It’s depressing, we’re making the same mistake as a batting unit. We’re getting out in bunches and there were lots of soft dismissals today.” This highlights the ongoing issues the team faces in adapting to the conditions.
Shakeel Acknowledges Challenges Against England’s Bowlers
After facing difficulties against England’s bowling attack, player Shakeel emphasized the team’s ongoing efforts to improve. He noted that the significant lateral movement of the ball has posed a challenge for the batting lineup, which is not accustomed to such conditions.
“We’re working hard, it’s not like we aren’t trying,” Shakeel stated. “There’s a lot of lateral movement and we’re not used to facing that, but we are trying our best. I’m not saying our batting group has not struggled; we have accepted that. But the conditions have been difficult.”
The team’s commitment to addressing these issues remains strong as they continue to adapt to the challenging playing conditions.