WEBDESK - NAYADAUR
Pakistan suffered another severe batting collapse on Wednesday as England reduced them to 100 for seven before lunch on the opening day of the third and final Test at Edgbaston.
England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to bowl under overcast conditions, and his decision quickly paid dividends as Pakistan’s top order struggled against a disciplined pace attack. Pakistan entered the match already 2-0 down in the three-Test series after heavy defeats at Headingley and Lord’s.
The visitors lost their first wicket at eight when Saim Ayub was dismissed for a duck by Ollie Robinson. Azan Awais followed for nine after being caught off Jofra Archer, while Abdullah Shafique made only three before becoming Robinson’s second victim.
Shan Masood then fell for five to Archer, leaving Pakistan 26 for four inside the first 10 overs.
Captain Babar Azam provided little resistance, scoring seven before Josh Tongue bowled him for the fifth wicket. His dismissal left Pakistan 48 for five and increased pressure on a side that had already undergone significant changes following its disappointing start to the tour.
Wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori, one of Pakistan’s three debutants, was dismissed for four, while fellow debutant Mohammad Imran Randhawa made five before Tongue removed him with a sharp delivery.
At lunch, Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 37 from 38 balls, having struck six fours, while Razaullah was 11 not out. Tongue had taken three wickets for 23 runs, with Robinson claiming two for nine and Archer two for 18.
The collapse came despite Pakistan making sweeping changes to their lineup. Ghazi Ghori, Imran Randhawa and Razaullah were handed Test debuts, while Saim Ayub returned to the side. The changes followed the team’s 194-run defeat at Lord’s, which gave England an unassailable series lead.
Robinson also reached a personal milestone when Saim Ayub became his 100th Test wicket, adding significance to an already dominant opening spell.
Pakistan’s latest collapse has intensified scrutiny of the team after a tour marked by heavy defeats and significant upheaval away from the field. England won the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before completing another emphatic victory at Lord’s.
The Edgbaston Test is Pakistan’s final opportunity to avoid a series whitewash, but their early batting performance has once again left them facing an uphill battle.
With England’s seamers exploiting movement and bounce, Pakistan’s middle and lower order must now provide substantial resistance if the visitors are to recover from another disastrous start.