Summary Joe Root and Jordan Cox guide hosts to victory with composed chase
BIRMINGHAM (Dunya News) – England defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the third Test to complete a 3-0 series whitewash, wrapping up the contest with a composed chase of 130 runs on the fourth day in Birmingham.
Pakistan had earlier been bowled out for 449 in their second innings, setting England a modest target after the visitors had been dismissed for 133 in their first innings. England had responded with 453, establishing a substantial first-innings advantage.
England’s chase began dramatically when both openers were dismissed in the opening over. Ben Duckett was removed from the first ball without scoring, while Emilio Gay also fell for a duck from the final delivery of the over.
Despite the early setbacks, England recovered through Joe Root and Jordan Cox. Root produced a controlled innings of 62, while Cox remained unbeaten on 59 as the pair steered England through the chase and secured an eight-wicket victory.
Pakistan’s second innings had offered considerably more resistance after their disappointing first-innings display. Captain Shan Masood led the scoring with 95, narrowly missing a century, while Babar Azam contributed 76 and Azan Awais made 59.
Saud Shakeel scored 29 and Ghazi Ghori added 16, while Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique were dismissed without scoring.
The lower order then prolonged Pakistan’s innings and prevented England from completing an innings victory. Test debutant Razaullah struck an impressive 81, including nine sixes and four fours, while Mohammad Abbas added an aggressive 40.
Their resistance lifted Pakistan to 449 before the innings ended, leaving England with 130 runs to win the match.
England’s chase appeared uncertain after the two early wickets, but Root and Cox settled the innings and steadily moved their side towards victory.
Root’s 62 provided the stability England needed after the turbulent opening over, while Cox’s 59 ensured the hosts maintained control during the final stages of the match.
The result completed England’s 3-0 victory in the three-match Test series. Pakistan were unable to win any of the three Tests, with England securing victories in all three matches to complete the whitewash in Birmingham.
