Shan Masood, Azan Awais lead Pakistan’s fightback in third Test

On the third day of the final Test at Edgbaston, Pakistan showed improved resilience in their second innings. Resuming at 52-2, captain Shan Masood and debutant Azan Awais extended their partnership to 125 runs before Awais was dismissed.

At the time of reporting, Pakistan had reached 176-3, with Shan Masood and Babar Azam at the crease. The team still trails England by 144 runs, needing to bat long to avoid an innings defeat and a series whitewash.

A notable moment from England's first innings involved 21-year-old bowler Razaullah, who dismissed senior batsman Joe Root in his first over. The achievement was reportedly marked by an emotional reaction from the young bowler's father.

England strengthened their grip on the third Test, extending their first-innings lead to a commanding 320 runs before reducing Pakistan to 52-2 at the close of a rain-interrupted second day at Edgbaston.

The hosts were eventually bowled out for 453, with Jamie Smith adding a valuable 69 and Ollie Robinson hitting a rapid half-century. For Pakistan, Razaullah was the most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 4-148.

Facing a huge deficit, Pakistan's second innings started disastrously as Ollie Robinson dismissed both Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique for ducks in the opening over. However, Shan Masood (21 not out) and debutant Azan Awais (29 not out) mounted a recovery with an unbeaten 52-run partnership before rain forced an early end to the day's play. Pakistan still trail by 268 runs.

Play on Day 2 of the third Test between Pakistan and England at Edgbaston was abandoned due to rain on Thursday. Before the interruption, England had extended their first-innings lead to 239 runs.

England tightened their grip on the third Test on Day 2, reaching 299-6 at lunch and extending their first-innings lead significantly over Pakistan. The session saw Harry Brook run out for 75, ending an 86-run partnership with Dan Lawrence. Lawrence went on to score 65 before being bowled by Mohammad Imran, who claimed his first Test wicket. At the break, Jamie Smith was not out on 47.

Further details from the first day's play at Edgbaston have emerged, highlighting the disarray in the Pakistan camp. The team's collapse to 133 all out came after seven players were sent home following the second Test loss at Lord’s, which also saw the dismissal of coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul.

This led to three new caps in the Pakistan side for the third Test: 21-year-old fast bowler Razaullah, wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori, and Mohammad Imran.

England's bowling attack was led by Josh Tongue with figures of 4-42, supported by Ollie Robinson (3-15) and Jofra Archer (3-25). Robinson's first wicket, that of Saim Ayub, was his 100th in Test cricket.

Following another batting collapse on the first day of the third Test against England, Pakistan batsman Saud Shakeel has attributed the team's struggles to the "difficult conditions" at Edgbaston.

Shakeel, who top-scored for Pakistan with 43, said after the day's play that the amount of lateral movement on offer made batting more challenging than it appeared. He noted that the pitches for this series have been tougher than those New Zealand faced earlier in the year.

"There was a little moisture in the pitch early on and the overcast conditions were helping their bowlers," Shakeel explained. While pointing to the conditions, he also acknowledged that the batting unit was "making the same mistake repeatedly."

On the morning of Day 2, debutant fast bowler Razaullah continued his impressive start, claiming a second wicket to add to his dismissal of England captain Joe Root on the first day.

The batting collapse drew sharp criticism, with reports highlighting that seven of Pakistan's top-order batsmen failed to reach double figures. The performance led to widespread disappointment among cricket fans and analysts.

At the close of play on Day 1 of the third Test, England reached 156 for 4 in their first innings, establishing a 23-run lead over Pakistan. Harry Brook (52 not out) and Dan Lawrence (5 not out) were at the crease at stumps.

For England, opener Emilio Gay scored 60 before being dismissed. Pakistan's debutant fast bowler Razaullah made an immediate impact, taking the wicket of England captain Joe Root LBW in his first over while bowling at speeds of 90 mph.

In the wake of Pakistan's batting collapse, former national team batter Mohammad Yousuf criticised the players' technique, stating they need to "learn before it's too late." He pointed to technical flaws such as excessive movement before the ball is delivered.

Following an initial collapse in the first session, Pakistan were bowled out for 133 in their first innings of the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston.

Pakistan's batting lineup collapsed in the first session of the third Test against England, slumping to 84 for 7 at Edgbaston.

After being put in to bat by England, Pakistan's top order crumbled, with none of the first seven batsmen reaching double figures. The dismissed batsmen included Saim Ayub (0), Azan Awais (9), Abdullah Shafique (3), Shan Masood (5), captain Babar Azam (7), Ghazi Ghori (4), and Mohammad Imran (5).

During the collapse, England bowler Ollie Robinson claimed his 100th Test wicket when he dismissed opener Saim Ayub.

Pakistan's innings is now underway at Edgbaston, with the team batting first in the third and final Test after England won the toss and elected to field.