Eng vs Pak 3rd Test Day 1: Josh Tongue Leads Destruction as Pakistan Bowled Out for 133

BIRMINGHAM: A heavily depleted and deeply troubled Pakistan batting lineup imploded on the opening day of the Eng vs Pak 3rd Test at Edgbaston Stadium. Showing minimal resistance against a relentless English pace attack, Pakistan bowled out for a meager 133 runs in just 33.5 overs after the hosts won the toss and elected to field.

The disaster unfolded against the backdrop of off-field turmoil. Following a heavy defeat at Lord's, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry and sent seven squad members, including their head coach, home midway through the tour. 

Forced to take the field with four major changes and multiple debutants, the tourists looked completely out of their depth in challenging English conditions.

The Early Onslaught

England’s seamers wasted no time exploiting the psychological and technical vulnerabilities of the reshuffled top order. Josh Tongue led the destruction, extracting sharp bounce and movement to finish with exceptional figures of 4 for 42. He was ably supported by the searing pace of Jofra Archer and the probing accuracy of Ollie Robinson, both of whom sliced through the line-up to claim 3 wickets apiece.

Pakistan’s top three offered virtually no foundation. Openers Azan Awais (9) and Saim Ayub (0) fell cheaply within the opening burst. When the experienced Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for a painful 3 off 16 deliveries, the visitor's scorecard read a perilous 3 wickets down for very little. Shan Masood failed to arrest the slide, compounding his team’s misery by departing for just 5 runs. 

Shakeel’s Lone Resistance

Amid the wreckage, Saud Shakeel provided the only semblance of fight for the tourists. The left-hander counter-attacked bravely, realizing that dynamic survival was his only option on a pitch that still offered plenty for the bowlers. Shakeel top-scored with a fluent 43 off 47 balls, laced with seven boundaries, before he too was overcome by England's precise execution.

The middle and lower order fell like tenpins around him. Captain Babar Azam’s prolonged slump in red-ball cricket continued as he was stifled by Robinson, eventually walking back for 7 runs off 18 balls. Debutant wicketkeeper Muhammad Ghazi Ghori managed just a single boundary before being dismissed for 4.

A brief tail-end flurry from debutant Razaullah (11) and a resilient Mohammad Abbas (21 off 36 balls) pushed Pakistan past the triple-figure mark, saving them from total statistical ignominy before the final wicket fell in the afternoon session.

England in Complete Control

By the time the final wicket fell, England had firmly established their grip on the match, eyeing a flawless 3-0 series whitewash.  Pakistan faces a mountain to climb if their inexperienced bowling unit is to prevent another massive first-innings deficit.

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