The Pakistan collapse against England continued on Wednesday as the tourists slumped to 100-7 at lunch on the opening day of the third Test at Edgbaston.
Pakistan entered the match 2-0 down in the series. They also made four changes after their heavy 194-run defeat at Lord’s. Three players made their Test debuts.
However, the changes failed to solve Pakistan’s batting problems.
England’s pace attack quickly exposed the visitors’ fragile top order in overcast conditions.
England Quick Bowlers Strike Early
England captain Joe Root won the toss and chose to bowl.
Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer immediately put Pakistan under pressure. Josh Tongue then joined the attack and made the collapse even worse.
Pakistan lost four wickets for just 26 runs inside the first 10 overs.
Robinson removed Saim Ayub for a duck with a delivery that moved back into the left-hander. The wicket also gave Robinson his 100th Test wicket.
Archer then dismissed Azan Awais before Robinson struck again to remove Abdullah Shafique.
Shan Masood soon followed for a low score after attempting to pull Archer.
Babar Azam Falls for Seven
Pakistan captain Babar Azam could not rescue the innings.
Babar made only seven before Tongue produced a delivery that moved sharply off the seam and bowled him.
Pakistan were then 48-5.
The dismissal added to a difficult series for Babar, who has struggled to produce a Test century in recent years.
Saud Shakeel Offers Resistance
Saud Shakeel provided the main resistance during the collapse.
The left-hander had scored 97 at Lord’s in the previous Test. He again showed patience as wickets fell around him.
Shakeel eventually top-scored with 43 before Tongue dismissed him later in the innings.
At lunch, however, Pakistan had reached 100-7, with the lower order trying to prevent another embarrassing total.
Tongue Leads England’s Attack
Tongue was particularly effective for England.
He removed Babar, Ghazi Ghori and Mohammad Imran during the early collapse. He eventually finished with four wickets for 42 runs.
Robinson also impressed with 3-15, while Archer claimed 3-25.
All 10 Pakistan wickets eventually fell to England’s pace bowlers.
Pakistan Bowled Out for 133
Pakistan’s resistance did not last long after lunch.
The visitors were eventually bowled out for only 133 in 33.5 overs.
That meant Pakistan had failed to reach 200 in any of their first five innings of the series.
England then took control of the match. By the close of play, the hosts had reached 156-4 and held a 23-run first-innings lead.
Razaullah Provides Pakistan a Bright Spot
There was at least one encouraging moment for Pakistan.
Debutant fast bowler Razaullah produced an impressive performance with the ball. He dismissed England captain Joe Root with his fourth Test delivery.
Razaullah eventually took two wickets for 42 runs.
His breakthrough gave Pakistan a brief lift after their disastrous batting display.
England Close Day One in Control
England finished the opening day firmly in command.
Emilio Gay scored 60, while Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 52. Their partnership helped England recover from 39-3 and establish a useful lead.
Pakistan now face another difficult day as they try to prevent England from taking complete control of the final Test.
After two heavy defeats, the Pakistan collapse against England has once again highlighted the team’s serious batting problems.
