Pakistan’s new-look team was unable to shake off old problems as it was bowled out for a paltry 133 after being put into bat by England in the third Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday, before Emilio Gay and Harry Brook carried the hosts further into the ascendancy. Pakistan cricket has had little to cheer about of late. If two deflating losses in the first two Tests against England were not enough, they were followed by a stunning decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to sack seven players and send two coaches home. In the ongoing third Test, seven debutants are playing.
Josh Tongue claimed 4-42 while Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer shared six wickets as Pakistan’s shake-up since going 2-0 down in the three-match series had minimal impact. Gay and Brook then made fifties to lift England to 156-4 at stumps on day one, leading by 23 despite captain Joe Root being out lbw for the 10th time in 13 innings. Gay and Brook shared a 104-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Razaullah removed Joe Root in his first over, then Gay. It was Root’s 10th lbw dismissal in 13 innings. Then, with a 144 kmph delivery, Razaullah bowled Gay.
Razaullah trapped Root with a delivery that skidded onto the pad. Gay was then struck on the side of his knee by a delivery from Razaullah.
Pakistan entered the match amid controversy after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released seven players, along with then-head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul , following defeats in the first two Tests. They made four changes to their XI, handing Test debuts to three players in a bid to finish the series on a positive note. However, the revamped batting line-up struggled against England’s relentless seam attack.
