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England demolish Pakistan to take charge of Test
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England demolish Pakistan to take charge of Test

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SokaLive

09 Sep 2026, 17:42

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England delivered another bowling masterclass on the opening day of the third Test at Edgbaston, dismantling Pakistan's fragile batting lineup to surge into a commanding position as they chase a dominant 3-0 series clean sweep. Seamer Chris Woakes spearheaded the relentless attack on his home ground, exploiting early movement with precision to leave the visitors reeling during a dismal morning session. This clinical performance builds on England's aggressive tactical evolution under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, whose high-tempo red-ball philosophy continues to pressurize touring sides in English conditions throughout the ongoing international summer schedule.

Pakistan’s alarming collapse at Edgbaston highlights deep-seated technical vulnerabilities against lateral seam movement, echoing their struggles in previous fixtures at Lord's and Headingley earlier this summer. Despite possessing world-class talent like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in their top order, the batting unit failed to adapt to disciplined lengths and sustained hostility from England's pace battery. Historically, Pakistan has found success in English conditions during famous past series, but this current iteration lacks the defensive resilience required to counter a revitalized bowling attack featuring veteran James Anderson and modern enforcers.

With England firmly in control heading into the second day, the hosts will look to build a substantial first-innings lead and bat Pakistan out of the contest before potentially enforcing the follow-on. A series whitewash would further cement England's resurgence in the ICC World Test Championship standings, validating their bold selection strategies and relentless pursuit of results. Meanwhile, Pakistan faces immense pressure from fans and pundits back home to avoid a humiliating 3-0 defeat, making the upcoming sessions crucial for restoring pride in international Test cricket.