Pakistan are staring at another humiliating defeat after England tightened their grip on the third Test at Edgbaston, leaving the tourists facing the prospect of a 3-0 series whitewash.
England, already 2-0 up after convincing victories at Leeds and Lord’s, extended their first-innings lead to a massive 320 runs before Ollie Robinson struck twice in his opening over to leave Pakistan reeling at 52 for 2 at stumps on Thursday. Rain brought an early end to play, offering Pakistan a temporary reprieve from what had threatened to become an even more embarrassing day.
England vs Pakistan, 2nd Test Day 2 Highlights
Pakistan, who were dismissed for just 133 in their first innings, now need another 268 runs simply to make England bat again. Shan Masood was unbeaten on 21 alongside Azan Awais, who was on 29, but the visitors remain overwhelmingly behind with three days still scheduled.
Robinson has been the defining bowler of the series. After taking five wickets in the first Test at Leeds and four in Pakistan’s second innings at Lord’s, the England seamer added three wickets in the first innings at Edgbaston before claiming Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique in the second. He has now taken 21 wickets in the series at an extraordinary average of 6.66.
ENGLAND PILE ON THE PRESSURE AFTER PAKISTAN’S LATEST COLLAPSE
England resumed the day at 156 for 4 and eventually reached 453, turning a modest 23-run overnight advantage into a 320-run lead. Harry Brook made 75 from 97 balls before being run out attempting an impossible single, while Dan Lawrence continued his impressive return to Test cricket with 65. It was his third successive half-century of the series.
Jamie Smith also produced a timely 69 from 84 balls despite suffering a finger injury, his highest Test score at Edgbaston since his 88 against India 14 months ago. He subsequently handed over wicketkeeping duties to Jordan Cox. Robinson then added a quickfire 50, including a huge six into the Hollies Stand, before Pakistan finally ended England’s innings at 453.
Pakistan’s best moment came from debutant Razaullah. The 21-year-old fast bowler claimed four wickets, including Joe Root in England’s first innings, offering a rare glimpse of encouragement in an otherwise bleak campaign. His performance came despite conceding 148 runs from 23 overs.
ROBINSON STRIKES AGAIN AS PAKISTAN’S HOPES FADE
If Pakistan had hoped to make a strong start to their second innings, Robinson extinguished that possibility almost immediately. He dismissed Saim Ayub with the first ball before removing Abdullah Shafique three deliveries later, leaving Pakistan 0 for 2.
Ayub’s dismissal was particularly grim: he was out for a duck in both innings. Robinson’s spell once again underlined the gulf between the two sides, with Pakistan’s batting unit repeatedly unable to withstand England’s pace attack. Pakistan have failed to reach 200 in the series, while their latest collapse followed first-innings totals of 171 and 110 in the opening Test and 175 and 194 at Lord’s.
Pakistan batting coach Mike Smith acknowledged the challenge posed by Robinson, describing him as one of the most consistent bowlers in world cricket.
With Pakistan having now lost 15 of their last 20 Tests, the current series has exposed problems that go well beyond one poor tour. Razaullah’s emergence provides a glimmer of hope for the future, but the present remains bleak. England are firmly in control, and Pakistan are now fighting to avoid completing a deeply disappointing 3-0 defeat.
– Ends
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