England secured a 3-0 Test series clean sweep against Pakistan after captain Joe Root and debutant Jordan Cox chased down a target of 130 with eight wickets to spare on the fourth morning at Edgbaston.
Edgbaston Run Chase Tested by Early Wickets
England began their pursuit of 130 in alarming fashion when Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas removed both openers for ducks in a chaotic first over. According to the main source, Ben Duckett edged the first ball of the innings to continue a dismal summer that left his series average at 8.80. Emilio Gay followed lbw for a four-ball duck, leaving the scorecard reading two runs for two wickets and sparking wild celebrations among Pakistan’s players and supporters.
Abbas operated with the wicketkeeper standing up to maintain pressure on the batters, backed by a Pakistan side looking to salvage pride after heavy defeats at Headingley and Lord’s. However, the pitch offered no demons by the fourth morning, allowing incoming batter Joe Root and Jordan Cox to steady the innings. The pair shared an unbroken 128-run partnership to comfortably reach the target by 1.07 pm.
Root and Cox Weather Pakistan’s Bowlers
Joe Root batted deliberately on his leg stump to counter the threat of lbw, finishing unbeaten on 62 while Jordan Cox contributed an assured 59 not out. According to the main source, Root benefited from a pair of crucial reprieves during the partnership. In the 10th over, Mohammad Ali thought he had bowled Root for 20 when a booming drive cannoned into the leg stump, but the umpire signalled a no-ball—marking Ali’s 17th front-foot infraction of the series.
Root survived another scare on 34 when he edged an Abbas delivery between first and second slip, with both fielders leaving the catch for each other. Pakistan’s frontline options faded as the morning progressed, compounded by an early hand injury to Razaullah after his explosive 81 with the bat the previous evening. Cox brought up the winning runs via a misfield, sealing England’s first series clean sweep for two years.
Captaincy Transition and Future Outlook
The victory marks a smooth return to the Test captaincy for Joe Root, who stepped back into the role following Ben Stokes’ retirement from the position. Root worked closely with Harry Brook during the series, utilizing tactical adjustments like a reinforced gully region during Pakistan’s first-innings collapse to 171.
While Root successfully steadied the ship after a turbulent summer, tougher examinations loom over the winter months. According to the main source, England faces sterner series in South Africa and Bangladesh, followed by a one-off match in Melbourne, where the pace quartet of Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue will face rigorous tests away from home conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Test series between England and Pakistan?
England won the series 3-0 after completing an eight-wicket victory in the final Test at Edgbaston.
What was the target set for England in the final innings?
England needed 130 runs to secure the clean sweep on the fourth morning.
How did Joe Root perform upon returning to the England captaincy?
Root led England to a 3-0 whitewash, finishing the final chase with an unbeaten 62 alongside Jordan Cox.
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