Tongue routs Pakistan as England dominate third Test
BIRMINGHAM: England are on course to complete a series whitewash after Pakistan’s brittle batting collapsed again on the opening day of the third Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday. The tourists, who have failed to reach 200 in the series, were dismantled once more by England’s four-man pace attack and were shot out for 133 in just 33.5 overs. Josh Tongue led the way with 4-42 with Ollie Robinson…
England secured a commanding position in the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Wednesday, as the tourists' batting crumbled under the might of England's four-man pace attack. The team, who have yet to score 200 in the series, were dismissed for a mere 133 in just 33.5 overs. Josh Tongue spearheaded the assault with figures of 4-42, while Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer contributed 3-15 and 3-25 respectively.
Debutant Razaullah made an immediate impact, taking the crucial wicket of Joe Root with his very first ball.
The English bowlers were buoyed by a century partnership between Emilio Gay and Harry Brook, which propelled England into a strong position of 156-4. Tongue praised the group's effort, stating, "It was an unbelievable performance from everyone... bowling a team out for just over 100 is an unbelievable effort." Pakistan, however, began their innings poorly, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Razaullah, along with wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori and Mohammad Imran, were called up as part of a new-look Pakistan side following the loss at Lord's, where seven players were sent home.
The pattern of the series continued, with Pakistan getting off to another disastrous start. They were reduced to 26-4 inside the opening hour, losing Saim Ayub, Azan Awais, Abdullah Shafique, and Shan Masood to England's pace quartet. When Tongue took the field, Pakistan's captain Babar Azam fell for seven, and the collapse continued with Ghori and Imran also falling. At lunch, Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position at 100-7.
Though Razaullah lasted only three balls after the resumption, his early wicket-taking proved decisive. Saud Shakeel top-scored for Pakistan with 43, but England's bowling proved too much as Ali and Abbas dismissed Duckett and Jordan Cox. Root fell for the ninth time in his last 12 Test innings, and England were left vulnerable at 39-3.
However, the resurgence came from Brook and Gay, who steadied the innings with Gay's 60, his highest Test score. As Pakistan face an uphill struggle to overturn the deficit, Tongue remains confident: "We’re in a strong position."
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