Host England Builds Momentum After Dismissing Pakistan for 156

Birmingham, 9 September – England’s momentum surged after they bowled out Pakistan for a modest 156 on the first day of the third Test at Edgbaston. After Pakistan’s early setback – Sam Ayub out without scoring and a rapid loss of four wickets before reaching 26 – captain Babar Azam and Saeed Shakir added a modest 22 runs. Shakir’s 43, laced with seven fours, and Mohammad Abbas’s 21 were the only notable contributions, while Razaullah added 11. England’s bowlers responded with precision: Jos Buttler claimed four wickets in a tight ten‑over spell, Ollie Robinson secured three wickets for 15 runs, and Jofra Archer also took three. England’s reply saw a brief wobble, losing three wickets for just 39 runs, but a 104‑run partnership between Emilio and Harry Brook steadied the innings. Emilio’s 60 off 114 balls, punctuated by nine boundaries, and Brook’s fluent 52 gave England a 23‑run lead at the close of play, positioning them strongly for the remainder of the series.