England Beat Pakistan by Eight Wickets, Complete Series Sweep

Edgbaston: (Sports Desk) – England wrapped up a dominant 3-0 Test series victory over Pakistan after beating the visitors by eight wickets in the third Test at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Chasing only 130 for victory, England suffered an early scare as Ben Duckett and debutant Emilio Gay were dismissed in the opening over by Mohammad Abbas. The quick setbacks briefly raised hopes of an unlikely Pakistan fightback.

Joe Root then took control of the chase. England’s record Test run-scorer survived a nervous start before settling into his innings and attacking the Pakistan bowling.

Root received another reprieve when he chopped a delivery onto his stumps, only for the ball to be called a no-ball. He later edged Abbas between the slips, but the chance went begging.

The experienced batter went on to complete his half-century from 57 balls, while Jordan Cox also reached fifty as the pair steadied England’s chase.

England eventually reached the target in the 25th over, with Root unbeaten on 62 and Cox finishing on 59 not out.

Pakistan had briefly delayed the inevitable on Friday when debutant fast bowler Razaullah produced a remarkable counterattack with the bat. The 21-year-old smashed nine sixes during a 63-ball 81 and shared a 121-run ninth-wicket partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who contributed 42.

Razaullah’s all-round contribution was one of the few positives for Pakistan. He had also claimed four wickets in England’s first innings, but his late batting heroics could not prevent another heavy defeat.

Pakistan had already lost the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs before suffering a 194-run defeat in the second match at Lord’s.

The series also descended into turmoil for Pakistan, with seven players sent home following the second Test and seven replacements brought into the squad. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant coach Umar Gul were also removed during the tour.

Pakistan made four changes for the third Test but struggled once again, managing only 133 in their first innings before England completed another comfortable victory.

For England, the whitewash provides a major boost after a difficult period that included a series defeat against New Zealand and the departures of head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.

England will now turn their attention to tougher assignments, including a Test series in South Africa later this year and the much-anticipated Ashes series on home soil next year.