England brush aside Pakistan to complete 3-0 Test series whitewash
Brief Score: England (453 & 130/2) beat Pakistan (133 & 449) by 8 wickets in the third and final Test.
England brushed aside Pakistan to complete a 3-0 Test series whitewash as Joe Root guided his side to an eight-wicket victory in the third Test at Edgbaston. Root finished unbeaten on 62 as England successfully chased a modest target of 130, although they were given an early scare after losing both openers in the first over.
Ben Duckett was dismissed by Muhammad Abbas with the first ball of the innings, while Emilio Gay followed later in the same over. What could have developed into a nervous chase was instead steadied by Root, whose experience proved decisive. The former England captain survived a major scare on 23 when he was bowled by Mohammad Ali, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball. It was Ali's 17th no-ball of the series.
Pakistan had another opportunity to remove Root when he was on 38, but Abbas' delivery took the edge and passed between first and second slip, with both fielders leaving it for each other. Root made Pakistan pay for the missed chances. His unbeaten 62 marked the 110th time he has scored 50 or more in Test cricket, a tally that includes 41 centuries.
Jordan Cox provided excellent support, finishing unbeaten on 59 as England reached their target in the 25th over to complete their first Test series win in 19 months. Pakistan, who had conceded a huge first-innings deficit of 320, deserve credit for showing considerable fight and taking the match into a fourth day. But their late resistance could not disguise the extent of England's dominance across the series.
Had Pakistan produced the same level of fight in the opening two Tests, the contest might have been far more competitive. Instead, England's early dominance left the series looking increasingly one-sided before Pakistan finally showed some spark in Birmingham.
England will not be complaining. After a difficult period that included an Ashes defeat and a subsequent loss to New Zealand, the series offered a much-needed boost as they look to reset their Test side.
Root's return to the captaincy has also been a success following Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket. He was again at the centre of England's response when Pakistan threatened to make the chase uncomfortable.
Pakistan's most exciting moment came on Friday evening when debutant Razaullah produced a thrilling 81 from just 63 balls to give Edgbaston a glimpse of what might have been possible had his side shown the same attacking intent earlier in the series.
England's interim red-ball head coach Marcus Trescothick now hands over the side to Stephen Fleming ahead of a three-Test tour of South Africa in December and January.
The challenge will be significantly tougher in South Africa. However, England have reasons for optimism if they can keep their pace attack fit. Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson give them a formidable group of quicks.
Robinson led the attack throughout the series, finishing with 21 wickets as England's seamers made the most of helpful conditions and surfaces.
The batting was less convincing. No England batter managed a century across the three Tests, although Root's consistency once again stood out.
Jacob Bethell is expected to return for the winter tour after recovering from knee surgery, meaning England will have a selection decision to make among Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence and Cox.
That battle remains open, but Cox strengthened his case in Birmingham. His unbeaten 59 was composed and assured, while he also took over the wicketkeeping duties in the second innings after Jamie Smith suffered a finger injury.
For Pakistan, the series summed up a turbulent period. They have now lost 16 of their last 21 Tests, while the tour was further disrupted by the decision to replace seven players in the squad after the second Test and the sacking of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul.
There was, however, at least one positive to take from Birmingham.
The late 'Raz-ball' fightback showed that Pakistan still have the capacity to surprise and compete. They will need much more of that spirit when they face Sri Lanka in their next assignment in October.- EndsPublished By: Saurabh KumarPublished On: Sep 12, 2026 18:40 IST
