England survive Pakistan scare to seal 3-0 Test series sweep
England clinched a 3‑0 whitewash of Pakistan at Edgbaston on Saturday, sealing the series with an eight‑wicket victory in the third Test. After a disastrous start in which openers Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay fell in the first over to Mohammad Abbas, captain Joe Root steadied the innings, edging his first ball for four before accelerating to a unbeaten 62. Partner Jordan Cox contributed 59 not out, and the pair guided England to the modest target of 130 in the 25th over, despite several close calls – a no‑ball reprieve off Mohammad Ali and a dropped catch off Abbas. Root, England’s record run‑scorer and newly appointed skipper after Ben Stokes’s departure, expressed delight at the clean sweep, noting the “uncertainty, noise and chaos” that had surrounded the series and praising the team’s clinical response.
The win came against a Pakistan side in turmoil, having lost the first two Tests by an innings and 103 runs and by 194 runs respectively, and having dismissed seven players after the second‑Test defeat at Lord’s. The touring party reshuffled dramatically, bringing in seven replacements, including 21‑year‑old debutant fast bowler Razaullah, who despite a heroic 81 off 63 balls – nine sixes and four wickets in England’s first innings – could not prevent the collapse. Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam acknowledged the need for a thorough review, citing the difficulty of playing in England and the series of changes made to the XI. The side now sits at the bottom of the World Test Championship table, having lost 16 of their last 21 matches.
England’s triumph marks their first Test series win since 2024 and provides a morale boost after recent upheaval, which saw the exits of head coach Brendon McCullum and former captain Ben Stokes. The victory also sets the stage for upcoming challenges, including a Test series in South Africa later this year and a home Ashes series next season. Root highlighted the win as a positive launchpad for a new era under incoming head coach Stephen Fleming, while Pakistan must regroup and address the strategic and personnel issues that have plagued their tour.
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