England took control of the third and final Test against Pakistan with an impressive bowling performance on Day 1 at Edgbaston. Pakistan were bowled out for just 133 inside 34 overs, with Josh Tongue claiming four wickets while Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer picked up three apiece.

England also lost three early wickets in their reply but recovered strongly through Emilio Gay and Harry Brook. The pair added 104 runs for the fourth wicket, with Gay scoring 60 before Pakistan debutant Razaullah struck twice to give the visitors some encouragement. Brook remained unbeaten on 52 as England finished the day on 156/4.

Josh Tongue, Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer rip through Pakistan

Pakistan struggled to build any meaningful partnerships after England’s seamers made early inroads. Robinson removed Saim Ayub for his 100th Test wicket before Archer and Tongue continued to put pressure on the Pakistan batting order, leaving the visitors at 26/4. Babar Azam was unable to stop the collapse and fell for seven when Tongue produced a delivery that seamed in off a good length and knocked over his off stump.

Saud Shakeel then tried to steady the innings and remained the only recognised Pakistan batter to offer significant resistance. Shakeel scored 43 off 47 balls and found some boundaries during his stay, but Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Tongue eventually removed him with another delivery that seamed through the gate, while Robinson and Archer completed three-wicket hauls as Pakistan were dismissed for 133.

Emilio Gay and Harry Brook rebuild England’s innings

England’s reply also began with some uncertainty as Ben Duckett and Jordan Cox departed early, leaving the hosts at 39/3. Gay and Brook then joined forces and began rebuilding the innings with a patient approach on a surface offering movement. Gay gradually settled into his innings and brought up his third Test fifty in his 10th innings. He played with discipline against the Pakistan seamers and eventually scored 60 off 113 balls, hitting nine fours as England moved past Pakistan’s total.

The fourth-wicket pair added 104 runs and put England firmly ahead before their partnership was broken by Razaullah. The Pakistan debutant had already removed Joe Root earlier in the innings and then found Gay’s edge, with the ball deflecting onto the stumps to end an important knock.

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Razaullah provides Pakistan a bright moment on debut

Razaullah was one of three Pakistan debutants and impressed with his pace and movement despite England’s growing advantage. The 21-year-old quick consistently operated around the 89mph mark and reached 92mph during his two spells. His first major breakthrough came when he dismissed Root in his opening over, trapping the experienced batter lbw.

Root’s dismissal continued a difficult run against that mode of dismissal, while Razaullah later returned to remove Gay and finish with figures of 2/42 from nine overs. England ended the day on 156/4, with Brook unbeaten on 52 and Dan Lawrence on five. The hosts lead by 23 runs and will look to extend that advantage when play resumes on Day 2.

Eventful day and England have a lead of 23 runs at the end of the opening day of the third Test ✋#ENGvPAK #Cricket pic.twitter.com/hv6PsH7EpY

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 10, 2026

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