Pakistan suffered another top-order collapse on Day 1 of the third Test against England at Edgbaston on Wednesday, getting bowled out for just 133 in 32.2 overs in their 1st innings after being invited to bat first. Babar Azam was once again among the failures, scoring only 7 runs off 18 balls as his poor run in Test cricket continued.
Their seam attack didn’t give Pakistan’s revamped batting lineup no breathing room. Ollie Robinson struck first, trapping Saim Ayub lbw for a duck to claim his 100th Test wicket. England, already 2-0 up in the series, won the toss and chose to bowl under cloudy skies with the floodlights on. Jofra Archer maintained relentless pressure from the opposite end, removing young opener Azan Awais (9) and captain Shan Masood (5) in quick succession. Debutants Ghazi Ghori (4) and Mohammad Imran (5) offered little resistance as Tongue ripped through the middle order, taking both in rapid succession. Only Saud Shakeel mounted any genuine counterpunch, crafting a combative 43 off 46 deliveries with crisp strokeplay through the off side.
