Delhi: The first day of the third Test match being played between England and Pakistan at the Edgbaston ground in Birmingham was entirely in the name of the bowlers. A total of 14 wickets fell in the day. Pakistan's first innings was reduced to just 133 runs, in response to which England had scored 156 runs at the loss of 4 wickets by the end of the day's play. In this way the host team has achieved a lead of 23 runs.
Pakistani batting scattered like cards
After losing the toss and coming to bat first, Pakistan had a very bad start. The top order of the visiting team looked completely helpless in front of the sharp bowling of England's fast bowlers. Openers Sam Ayyub (0), Azan Awas (9), Abdullah Shafiq (3) and Shan Masood (5) returned to the pavilion cheaply.
Also read: ENG vs PAK: English bowlers wreaked havoc in the third test, Pakistan team collapsed for 133 runs.
Pakistan expected a big innings from captain Babar Azam, but he also became a victim of Josh Tong after scoring only 7 runs. On behalf of Pakistan, Saud Shakeel maintained the lead for some time. He played an inning of 43 runs in 47 balls with the help of 7 fours. Mohammad Abbas scored 21 runs in the lower order, but the rest of the batsmen could not last long. The entire Pakistan team was all out for 133 runs in 33.5 overs.
Josh Tong was the most successful bowler for England and he took 4 wickets. Olly Robinson and comebacker Jofra Archer got 3 wickets each.
England also got off to a shaky start
In reply to 133 runs, England's start was also not good. The host team lost 3 important wickets till the score was just 39 runs. Ben Duckett (11) was dismissed by Mohammad Ali, Jordan Cox (4) by Mohammad Abbas and captain Joe Root (8) by Razaullah.
After 3 wickets fell for 39 runs, Emilio Gay and Harry Brook took over the innings. Both of them made a brilliant partnership of 104 runs for the fourth wicket and brought England out of trouble.
Emilio Gay scored 60 runs in 114 balls with the help of 9 fours. Razaullah ended his innings and broke this partnership.
England gain early ascendancy against Pakistan in the Edgbaston Test 👊
📝: | #WTC27pic.twitter.com/UqK5kndxaA
— ICC (@ICC) September 9, 2026
Harry Brook took charge
Till the end of the day's play, Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 52 runs in 76 balls with the help of 4 fours. Dan Lawrence is present at the crease with him after scoring 5 runs.
Razaullah, who was debuting for Pakistan, took 2 wickets, while Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali got 1 wicket each.
Also read: England won the toss and chose to bowl in the third test, 4 changes in Pakistan's playing-11
After the first day's play, England has taken a lead of 23 runs. In such a situation, on the second day, it will try to increase this lead further, whereas Pakistan would like to return to the match by taking the remaining wickets as soon as possible.