England turn screw in 3rd Test against Pakistan

England's Dan Lawrence and Harry Brook accelerated their innings, tightening their grip on the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston. The home team, already leading 2-0 in the series, began the second day at 156-4, answering Pakistan's modest 133 all out. Lawrence reached his half-century off just 47 balls, hitting eight fours.

However, their momentum was halted when Brook inadvertently ran himself out for 75, leaving him one run short of an 11th Test century. Pakistan's Mohammad Imran dismissed Lawrence for 65. The Yorkshireman's dismissal ended a successful partnership with Brook at 86. The scoring slowed briefly after Jamie Smith arrived, but he quickly regained his attacking intent, hitting six runs off a ball from Saim Ayub.

Lawrence then claimed his first Test wicket by having Lawrence caught behind. England reached lunch on 299-6, with Smith unbeaten on 47. Pakistan, aiming to salvage pride after recent losses, made four changes to their team for the match. Despite their new lineup, they struggled to reach 200 runs, with none of the top five batsmen crossing double figures.

Only Saud Shakeel offered meaningful resistance with 43. England's pace attack, featuring Josh Tongue, Ollie Robinson, and Jofra Archer, continued to dominate. Tongue took four wickets, while Robinson and Archer contributed three wickets each. Pakistan managed to disrupt England's rhythm later in the day, removing Ben Duckett, Jordan Cox, and Joe Root, leaving England at 39-3.

However, opener Emilio Gay's 60 scored them confidence before he was dismissed by debutant Razaullah, providing England with a strong platform for the second day.