ENG vs PAK 3rd Test Day 1: England Dominates at Edgbaston as Pace Attack Demolishes Pakistan for 133
Executive Match Overview
England took firm control of the third and final Test against Pakistan on Day 1 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, skittling out a reshuffled Pakistani batting lineup for 133 before carving out a 23-run first-innings lead by stumps. Powered by a relentless seam assault led by Josh Tongue (4/42), Ollie Robinson (3/15), and Jofra Archer (3/25), the home side dismantled the visitors in just 33.5 overs after opting to field under overcast skies.
Despite a momentary wobble in their reply that saw England slip to 39/3βincluding the early loss of Joe Rootβcomposed half-centuries from young opener Emilio Gay (60) and middle-order counter-attacker Harry Brook (52*) propelled England to 156/4 by the close of play. Holding an unassailable 2-0 series lead following their victory at Lord’s, England enters Day 2 positioned to extend their advantage and push for a 3-0 series sweep.
Pakistan’s Batting Collapse: Wholesale Changes Fail to Stem the Tide
Pakistan entered the Edgbaston Test under intense pressure following heavy back-to-back defeats. In an effort to shake off lingering batting vulnerabilities, the team management made sweeping roster changes, handing out debuts to three players: wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori, all-rounder Imran Randhawa, and young right-arm pacer Razaullah Khan. However, the new-look top and middle order proved equally fragile against England’s disciplined pace attack.
Pakistan 1st Innings Timeline (33.5 Overs Total)
[0/1] Saim Ayub (0) β Trapped LBW by Robinson
[18/2] Azan Awais (5) β Caught off Archer
[24/3] Abdullah Shafique (8) β Caught at slip off Robinson
[31/4] Shan Masood (12) β Lobbed catch off Archer
[45/5] Babar Azam (7) β Bowled by Tongue
[72/6] Ghazi Ghori (4) β LBW to Tongue
[88/7] Imran Randhawa (2) β Bowled by Tongue
[105/8] Razaullah Khan (11) β Edged off Tongue
[128/9] Saud Shakeel (43) β Bowled by Tongue
[133/10] Mohammad Abbas (21) β Caught off Archer
Recalled opener Saim Ayub set the tone for a disastrous session when he was trapped lbw for a duck in the opening overs. Azan Awais (5) soon followed, miscuing a leading edge to mid-on off Jofra Archer. Abdullah Shafique (8) succumbed to Ollie Robinson’s persistent tight line, edging low to third slip, while captain Shan Masood (12) threw his wicket away with a mis-timed pull off Archer that looped safely into the hands of mid-wicket.
Babar Azam’s poor form continued when he was clean-bowled for 7 by a sharp delivery from Josh Tongue. Tongue then made short work of the debutants, trapping Ghazi Ghori (4) lbw and knocking back the stumps of Imran Randhawa (2) before lunch. The only meaningful resistance came from Saud Shakeel, who produced an aggressive 43 off 47 deliveries. Shakeel fought back with counter-attacking boundaries before a late inswinger from Tongue shattered his stumps. Jofra Archer wrapped up the innings by dismissing tailender Mohammad Abbas for 21, sealing Pakistan’s fate inside 34 overs.
English Seam Battery Analysis: Milestones and Lethal Precision
England’s bowling attack operated with clinical accuracy, capitalizing fully on the humid conditions and helpful seam movement offered by the Edgbaston surface.
Ollie Robinson Reaches 100 Test Wickets
Ollie Robinson delivered a masterclass in bowling economy and movement. Conceding just 15 runs across 11 overs, Robinson achieved a personal career milestone by picking up his 100th Test wicket when he dismissed Saim Ayub. Robinson became the 50th English bowler to reach the 100-wicket landmark in Test cricket, maintaining an extraordinary career bowling average below 20.
Josh Tongue Tears Through the Middle Order
Josh Tongue provided the bulk of the damage, finishing with figures of 4/42. Operating with steep bounce and subtle lateral movement, Tongue accounted for Babar Azam, Ghazi Ghori, Imran Randhawa, and top-scorer Saud Shakeel. His spell during the middle overs completely broke Pakistan’s batting spine.
Jofra Archer’s Explosive Pace
Jofra Archer complemented Robinson’s control with raw speed. Generating consistent pace in excess of 90 mph, Archer chipped in with 3/25 in 8.5 overs, claiming key wickets at both ends of the innings to ensure Pakistan never built any meaningful partnerships.
England’s Reply: Early Wobble to Brook & Gay’s Counter-Attack
Englandβs run-chase began in dramatic fashion, as Pakistan’s new-ball bowlers briefly gave the visiting camp something to cheer about.
England 1st Innings Fall of Wickets
β’ 11/1: Ben Duckett (11) β c behind off Mohammad Ali
β’ 22/2: Jordan Cox (4) β c behind off Mohammad Abbas
β’ 39/3: Joe Root (8) β LBW off Razaullah Khan
β’ 143/4: Emilio Gay (60) β c behind off Razaullah Khan
Ben Duckett was the first to fall for 11, caught behind off Mohammad Ali. Jordan Cox followed soon after for 4, feathering an edge off Mohammad Abbas. The Edgbaston crowd was then stunned when debutant seamer Razaullah Khan trapped former captain Joe Root lbw for just 8 runs.
At 39/3, Pakistan sensed an opportunity to claw their way back into the Test match. However, opener Emilio Gay and middle-order batter Harry Brook quickly extinguished those hopes with a century stand.
Key Partnership: Emilio Gay & Harry Brook
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Runs Scored: 104
Overs Faced: 24.2
Run Rate: 4.27 runs per over
Impact: Erased Pakistan's total and put England in the lead
Emilio Gay anchored the innings with technique and discipline, recording a patient 60 off 110 balls to earn his maiden Test fifty. At the other end, Harry Brook played with characteristic flair, punishing anything short or wide. Brook raced to an unbeaten 52 off 76 balls, hitting four boundaries and controlling the tempo of the evening session.
Although Razaullah Khan eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Gay late in the day, Dan Lawrence (5*) joined Brook to navigate the final overs safely. By stumps, England had reached 156/4 in 39 overs, holding a crucial 23-run lead with six first-innings wickets remaining.
Day 1 Match Statistics & Scorecard Summary
| Category | Pakistan (1st Innings) | England (1st Innings – Stumps) |
| Total Score | 133 all out (33.5 overs) | 156/4 (39.0 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Saud Shakeel 43 (47) | Emilio Gay 60 (110) |
| Second Top Scorer | Mohammad Abbas 21 (31) | Harry Brook 52* (76) |
| Best Bowling | Razaullah Khan 2/42 (9 overs) | Josh Tongue 4/42 (10 overs) |
| Supporting Bowling | Mohammad Abbas 1/37 (14 overs) | Ollie Robinson 3/15 (11 overs) |
| Match Lead | β | England lead by 23 runs |
Strategic Analysis & Day 2 Outlook
England’s position at the end of Day 1 leaves them as firm favorites to dictate terms for the remainder of the Test.
England’s Objective: With Harry Brook set at the crease and Dan Lawrence alongside him, England will target a first-innings total exceeding 300. A lead over 150β200 runs on an Edgbaston pitch that is already offering bounce and seam movement would place immense pressure on Pakistanβs fragile batting line-up in their second essay.
Pakistan’s Imperative: Pakistan’s seamersβMohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, and debutant Razaullah Khanβmust strike early on Day 2 morning to restrict England’s lead. Removing Brook early will be essential if Pakistan hopes to keep the first-innings deficit manageable and stay alive in the match.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the final score at the end of Day 1 in the 3rd ENG vs PAK Test?
Pakistan were bowled out for 133 in 33.5 overs in their first innings. In response, England finished Day 1 on 156/4 in 39 overs, holding a 23-run lead.
Who was the top performer with the ball for England on Day 1?
Josh Tongue was England’s top wicket-taker with 4/42. Ollie Robinson also impressed with 3/15 while reaching his milestone 100th Test wicket, and Jofra Archer claimed 3/25.
How did Emilio Gay and Harry Brook perform during England’s reply?
After England stumbled to 39/3, Emilio Gay scored a resilient 60 off 110 balls, while Harry Brook hit an unbeaten 52 off 76 balls. Together, they shared a crucial 104-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Which milestone did Ollie Robinson achieve on Day 1 at Edgbaston?
Ollie Robinson became the 50th English bowler to claim 100 Test wickets after trapping Pakistan opener Saim Ayub lbw for a duck.
What is the current status of the England vs Pakistan Test series?
England holds an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series after winning the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs.
Conclusion
Day 1 at Edgbaston reinforced England’s dominance throughout the series. Despite radical team changes by Pakistan, England’s fast bowlers dismantled the opposition’s top and middle order in under 34 overs. The initial wobble in England’s innings was swiftly neutralized by the composure of Emilio Gay and the attacking flair of Harry Brook. Heading into Day 2 with a 23-run lead and six wickets intact, England remains well-positioned to complete a 3-0 series sweep.