Pakistan Avoid Innings Defeat at Edgbaston but England Need Just 130 to Win

THE COLLAPSE

Pakistan's decisive third Test against England at Edgbaston started about as badly as it could. Put in to bat, the tourists were bowled out for just 133 in 33.5 overs, undone by Josh Tongue (4-42), Ollie Robinson (3-15) and Jofra Archer (3-25). Only Saud Shakeel, with 43, and Mohammad Abbas, with 21, offered any real resistance.

ENGLAND PILE IT ON

England made Pakistan pay in full. Harry Brook led the reply with 75, backed by half-centuries from Jamie Smith (69), Dan Lawrence (65), Emilio Gay (60) and Ollie Robinson (50), as the hosts piled up 453 all out in 89 overs, a lead of 320 runs. The one bright spot for Pakistan came with the ball in England's tail, where Razaullah picked up 4-148.

THE FIGHTBACK

Facing an innings defeat, Pakistan's second innings opened disastrously, with Saim Ayub out first ball and Abdullah Shafique gone three balls later in Ollie Robinson's opening over. From 0-2, though, Pakistan clawed their way back into the match. Masood made 95, Razaullah followed his four-wicket haul with a rapid 81 off 63 balls including nine sixes, Babar Azam added 76 and Awais chipped in with 59, as Pakistan reached 449 all out and avoided the innings defeat that looked certain on day two.

WHAT'S NEXT

The fightback leaves England needing just 130 to win on the fourth day and seal a series victory, a modest target given how the match has gone, but the closest Pakistan have come to making a real match of it since their first-innings collapse.