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England Survive Scare to Sweep Pakistan Series
Confirmed
In Short: England overcame an early wobble to beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third Test at Edgbaston, securing a 3-0 series victory.
BIRMINGHAM, UK: England overcame a major wobble to beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third Test at Edgbaston on Saturday, sealing a 3-0 series sweep. The home side was initially reduced to 2-2 in the opening over but managed to recover, with Joe Root settling down and scoring quickly to take the sting out of the situation.
The 21-year-old number nine, Abbas, put on 121 for the ninth wicket with Razaullah, as England floundered. However, Razaullah's heroics came too late for Pakistan, who have endured a miserable series, losing the first Test by an innings and 103 runs and the second by 194 runs.
England reached their target in the 25th over, with Root unbeaten on 62 and Cox 59 not out. Despite the early scare, England's performance was seen as a positive end to a turbulent summer for the team, with Joe Root completing a successful return to the captaincy.
England will switch formats to begin a white-ball series against Sri Lanka in Southampton on Tuesday, with Brendon McCullum back in charge and Kevin Pietersen as part of the coaching staff. The home side's top order, however, remains a concern, as evidenced by their struggles against the Pakistan attack.
What's confirmed
- BIRMINGHAM, UK: England overcame a major wobble to beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third Test at Edgbaston on Saturday, sealing a 3-0 series sweep. The home side was initially reduced to 2-2 in the opening over but managed to recover, with Joe Root settling down and scoring quickly to take the sting out of the situation.
- The 21-year-old number nine, Abbas, put on 121 for the ninth wicket with Razaullah, as England floundered. However, Razaullah's heroics came too late for Pakistan, who have endured a miserable series, losing the first Test by an innings and 103 runs and the second by 194 runs.
- England reached their target in the 25th over, with Root unbeaten on 62 and Cox 59 not out. Despite the early scare, England's performance was seen as a positive end to a turbulent summer for the team, with Joe Root completing a successful return to the captaincy.
- England will switch formats to begin a white-ball series against Sri Lanka in Southampton on Tuesday, with Brendon McCullum back in charge and Kevin Pietersen as part of the coaching staff. The home side's top order, however, remains a concern, as evidenced by their struggles against the Pakistan attack.
What's still developing
- Joe Root, England’s record runscorer, edged his first ball, bowled by Razaullah, through the slips for four in a nervy start but settled and scored quickly to take the sting out of the situation.
- From then on, the visitors finally found some fight and England were asked to respond.
- Two wickets in the first over - Abbas gives Pakistan perfect start One area of concern for Fleming will be England's openers, albeit if the modest returns of Duckett and Gay have come in a summer when ball has been on top of bat.
- In a dramatic start to the day, Abbas' metronomic accuracy not only sent nerves through the England dressing room, but also further exposed a growing issue at the top of the order.
- The top order finally found a way to cope with the England attack and Razaullah's pyrotechnics will live long in the memory.
- The home side were already facing an unexpected chase of 130 on the fourth day after being frazzled by the hitting of Pakistan debutant Razaullah on Friday evening.
- And the prospect of one of Test cricket's greatest turnarounds was raised when England were reduced to 2-2 in the opening over.
- England could have been 35-3 after Joe Root rashly dragged on to his own stumps off Mohammad Ali.