Pakistan’s ongoing batting struggles reached a new low on the opening day of the third and final Test at Edgbaston, as the visitors were bundled out for just 133 runs. Despite making multiple changes to their squad in a bid to reverse their fortunes after defeats at Leeds and Lord’s, the touring side failed to find an answer to England’s disciplined bowling attack.
England captain Joe Root opted to bowl first after winning the toss, a decision that was immediately vindicated by his seamers. Josh Tongue spearheaded the attack with an impressive return of 4-42, while Jofra Archer and Ollie Robinson provided excellent support, claiming three wickets apiece to dismantle the Pakistan lineup in just 44.3 overs.
Batting woes persist for struggling tourists
Saud Shakeel provided the only real resistance for Pakistan, top-scoring with 43. However, the rest of the batting order struggled to occupy the crease, marking the fifth consecutive innings in the series where the team has failed to reach the 200-run mark. The inability to build partnerships or withstand the movement of the ball has been a recurring theme throughout the tour.
Following the collapse, England’s top order navigated the remainder of the day with relative ease. By the close of play, the hosts had reached 156-4, establishing a 23-run lead. Fifties from Emilio Gay and Harry Brook were instrumental in putting England in a commanding position. Joe Root, however, fell lbw, marking the 10th time he has been dismissed in that fashion across his last 13 innings.
Shakeel addresses team's ongoing difficulties
Reflecting on the performance, Saud Shakeel admitted that the team is repeating the same errors. He described the situation as frustrating, noting that the side is losing wickets in clusters and suffering from soft dismissals. While he dismissed the idea that the issue stems from a lack of confidence, he acknowledged the difficulty of breaking out of poor form in challenging environments.
Shakeel pointed to the significant lateral movement offered by the conditions as a primary challenge for the visiting batters. He stated that while the team is working hard to rectify their technical shortcomings, they have found it difficult to adjust to the movement England’s bowlers have been able to extract from the surface. Pakistan now face a significant uphill battle to remain competitive in the final match of the series.
