England Complete 3–0 Sweep! Root and Cox Finish Pakistan’s Edgbaston Fightback
England have completed a 3–0 Test series sweep over Pakistan after chasing down 130 runs to win the third Test at Edgbaston by eight wickets.
Joe Root finished unbeaten on 62, while Jordan Cox made an unbeaten 59 as England recovered from an early scare to calmly finish the chase and close out the series.
Pakistan’s Incredible Fightback Falls Short
The final result does not tell the full story of Pakistan’s second-innings effort.
After being bowled out for just 133 in their first innings, Pakistan were staring at the possibility of a heavy defeat after England responded with 453.
Instead, Pakistan produced one of the most remarkable fightbacks of the series, eventually reaching 449 all out in their second innings and forcing England to bat again.
Shan Masood led the resistance with 95, while Babar Azam contributed 76 and Azan Awais made 59. But the biggest fireworks came from debutant Razaullah.
Razaullah and Abbas Turned the Match Around
Razaullah produced a sensational Test debut with an aggressive 81 off 63 balls, smashing nine sixes and four fours.
His innings became the centrepiece of Pakistan’s fightback after he joined Mohammad Abbas at the crease with the visitors in serious trouble.
Abbas responded with a superb 42 off 67 balls, including five fours and two sixes, as the pair put together a stunning 121-run ninth-wicket partnership.
The stand lifted Pakistan from 318/8 to 439/9 and transformed what looked like a straightforward England victory into a genuinely competitive final-day contest. Razaullah's nine sixes also equalled the record for the most sixes in a Test innings in England.
England Lose Two Early Wickets
England's chase did not begin smoothly.
Mohammad Abbas struck twice early in the innings, removing Ben Duckett for a first-ball duck before dismissing Emilio Gay for 0. England suddenly found themselves at 2/2 while chasing only 130.
That brief opening gave Pakistan hope that their extraordinary second-innings fightback could somehow produce an unlikely final-day upset.
Root and Cox Shut the Door
Joe Root, however, brought his usual calm to the situation.
The England captain rebuilt the innings and reached another Test half-century before finishing unbeaten on 62. Substitute wicketkeeper Jordan Cox provided equally valuable support, remaining unbeaten on 59.
The pair removed any remaining uncertainty from the chase, guiding England to the required 130 runs without further damage.
Root's half-century was also another significant milestone in an extraordinary Test career, as he reached his 69th Test fifty during the chase.
England Complete the Whitewash
England's victory means they finish the three-match Test series with a comprehensive 3–0 scoreline.
Pakistan will leave Edgbaston disappointed by the series result, but their second-innings response in the final Test provided a memorable ending. Razaullah's explosive debut, Abbas's counterattacking contribution and the 121-run ninth-wicket partnership ensured England had to return on the fourth day and complete the job rather than simply watch Pakistan collapse.
In the end, Root and Cox proved too composed, completing the chase and ensuring England finished the series unbeaten.