Sports Desk
Edgbaston: Emilio Gay and Harry Brook struck half-centuries as England recovered from an early setback to take a 23-run lead over Pakistan at stumps on the opening day of the third Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
In reply to Pakistan’s 133, England made a shaky start to their innings as Mohammad Ali struck in the fourth over, removing Ben Duckett for 11 after he was caught by Babar Azam in the slip cordon with the score on 12.
The hosts suffered another setback just 13 balls later when Mohammad Abbas trapped Jordan Cox lbw for four, reducing England to 24-2. Opener Emilio Gay and captain Joe Root then added 15 runs for the third wicket before debutant Razaullah dismissed Root lbw for eight early in the final session.
Harry Brook then joined Gay, and the pair rebuilt England’s innings with a vital 104-run stand for the fourth wicket, frustrating Pakistan’s bowlers and taking the hosts into the lead.
Razaullah finally broke the partnership late in the day by dismissing Gay for a composed 60 off 114 balls, including nine fours, leaving England on 143-4.
Brook and Lawrence safely negotiated the remaining overs, adding an unbeaten 13 runs for the fifth wicket to ensure England finished the day in a commanding position.
Razaullah was Pakistan’s standout bowler with 2-42, while Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali claimed one wicket each.
After being asked to bat first earlier in the day, Pakistan suffered an early setback in the third over when Ollie Robinson struck, trapping returning opener Saim Ayub lbw for a 10-ball duck. Jofra Archer then removed Pakistan’s other opener, Azan Awais, who was dismissed for nine off 20 deliveries, including two boundaries, leaving the hosts reeling at 14-2 after 5.5 overs.
The wickets continued to tumble as Robinson struck again to dismiss Abdullah Shafique for three off 16 balls. Archer followed in the very next over by removing former captain Shan Masood for five off seven deliveries, reducing Pakistan to 28-4.
Pakistan lost half their side in the 15th over when Josh Tongue bowled captain Babar Azam for seven off 18 balls. Babar managed just one boundary during his brief stay at the crease as Pakistan slumped to 48-5.
Debutant wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori opened his Test account with a boundary off Tongue. However, his innings was short-lived as the England pacer dismissed him for four off five deliveries to claim his second wicket of the innings.
Another debutant, Imran Randhawa, also endured a brief stay at the crease as Tongue claimed his third wicket by dismissing him, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble at 84-7 after 20.4 overs.
Razaullah scored 11 before being dismissed by Robinson shortly after lunch, leaving Pakistan at 101-8. Saud Shakeel continued to lead the resistance with a brisk 43 off 47 deliveries, but he too fell with the score on 107.
The last-wicket pair of Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali added 26 runs before Archer dismissed Abbas to bowl Pakistan out for 133.
For England, Tongue starred with four wickets, while Archer and Robinson claimed three wickets apiece.
