Pakistan&#39;s Test cricket struggles have now translated into a record low in the ICC rankings.

The team dropped one place to ninth after England completed a <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/pakistan-tour-of-england-2026/764/1">3-0 series whitewash</a>. The West Indies moved above Pakistan, while Zimbabwe stayed 10th with 17 rating points.

Australia retained the No. 1 spot, with the rest of the top 10 largely unchanged. England remained fifth despite winning every match of the series.

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			Team
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:91px">
			Position
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:403px">
			Key update
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		</tr>
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			Australia
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:91px">
			1st
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:403px">
			Remain top of the Test rankings
			</td>
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			England
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:91px">
			5th
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			Stay fifth despite 3-0 series win
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:128px">
			Pakistan
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:91px">
			9th
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:403px">
			Lowest-ever position
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		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:128px">
			West Indies
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:91px">
			8th
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:403px">
			Move one place above Pakistan
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:128px">
			Zimbabwe
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:91px">
			10th
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000; border-left:1px solid #000000; border-right:1px solid #000000; border-top:1px solid #000000; vertical-align:top; width:403px">
			Remain on 17 rating points
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

The latest ICC Test rankings reflect a miserable tour for Pakistan, who were outplayed from the opening day in England.

The first Test at Headingley ended in a heavy innings-and-103-run defeat. England then produced another commanding display at Lord&#39;s, winning by 194 runs to take an unassailable series lead.

That defeat triggered changes within the Pakistan setup, including the removal of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed. The shake-up did little to alter the team&#39;s fortunes.

England wrapped up the series at Edgbaston with an eight-wicket victory, completing a clean sweep and leaving Pakistan with more questions than answers.

The decline goes beyond one series. Pakistan have won only seven of their last 20 Tests and have suffered six series whitewashes across their past 12 series.

Their position in the World Test Championship table is just as concerning. Pakistan have managed only two wins from nine matches and sit at the bottom with a win-loss ratio of 14.81.

For a side that has spent years searching for consistency in the longest format, the latest Pakistan Test rankings setback underlines how deep the problem has become.

The ninth-place finish is not just another movement on the table. It is the lowest point Pakistan have reached in the ICC Test rankings.

Pakistan have slipped to ninth in the ICC Test rankings after England completed a series whitewash, leaving them at their lowest-ever position.

Pakistan Hit Historic Low After England Test Series Whitewash

England completed a 3-0 <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/eng-vs-pak-3rd-test-england-won-by-8-wickets/8042-5-0">series sweep</a> over Pakistan at Edgbaston, but Mohammad Abbas still walked away with one of the top individual honours. The Pakistan seamer was named joint Player of the Series along with England&rsquo;s Ollie Robinson.

Abbas finished the series with 13 wickets from five innings. His bowling stood out despite Pakistan&rsquo;s struggles, and he ended with an average of 25.38.

He also made useful contributions with the bat, scoring 86 runs in total. His highest score was 42 in the second innings of the final Test. Abbas&rsquo; innings proved important as Pakistan avoided an innings loss and managed to give England 130 runs to chase.

There was little to celebrate for Abbas in the series opener at Headingley. He finished the match with only one wicket as Pakistan struggled to make an impact.

However, the veteran pacer made a resounding comeback at Lord&rsquo;s, giving Pakistan crucial breakthroughs in both innings.

He troubled England throughout the match and ended up taking nine wickets for 130 runs. After returning 4/73 in the first innings, Abbas produced his best spell of the series in the second, claiming five wickets. That was also the only five-wicket haul he managed during the series.

The final Test also saw Abbas make useful contributions in both departments. He scored 63 runs and took three wickets, although he gave away 122 runs with the ball.

For England, Robinson ended the series on top of the bowling charts. He picked up 21 wickets from six innings, finishing with an excellent average of 8.76. He also added 58 runs during the three matches, which earned him a share of the Player of the Series award alongside Abbas.

Talking about the start, Robinson made an immediate impact in the series opener at Headingley. He took five wickets in England&rsquo;s first innings, registering his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. From that point, he remained crucial for England&rsquo;s bowling attack throughout the series, as Pakistan failed to find answers for his quality skill.

Mohammad Abbas shared the Player of the Series award with Ollie Robinson despite Pakistan’s 3-0 series loss to England.

Mohammad Abbas Shares Series Award Despite Pakistan’s Defeat

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has backed the team&rsquo;s young players but called for a review of the Test side after England completed a 3-0 series victory. Babar said Pakistan now need to identify their strongest combination while continuing to select players according to the conditions they face.

The series ended with an eight-wicket defeat in the third Test, despite Pakistan making England work early in the chase. Mohammad Abbas removed two batters in the opening over to raise hopes of a closer finish, but England recovered to complete the win.

&ldquo;Belief was high with two wickets in the first over, but they played very well,&rdquo; Babar stated.

The result also marked England&rsquo;s first 3-0 home <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/eng-vs-pak-3rd-test-england-won-by-8-wickets/8042-5-0">Test series whitewash</a> against Pakistan. The visitors had already made significant changes during the series, including seven alterations to the playing group as well as changes to the coaching staff after the defeat at Lord&rsquo;s.

Babar, who missed the first Test because of injury, said Pakistan needed to take responsibility for the problems exposed during the tour rather than simply focus on individual performances.

&ldquo;We need to sit down and admit our mistakes, and then work out our best XI,&rdquo; said Babar at the post-match presentation.

The captain confirmed that he would continue in the Test leadership role and said the team could not rely on the same combination in every country. He also highlighted the performances of Pakistan&rsquo;s newcomers, who were given opportunities during the series.

&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Babar on continuing as Pakistan Test captain. &ldquo;But [in] different series you need players for the conditions, but the new boys have done well.&rdquo;

One of those newcomers was Razaullah, who made an immediate impact on debut. The 21-year-old finished the match with 92 runs across Pakistan&rsquo;s two innings and four wickets, earning praise from Babar after his first Test.

The captain admitted Razaullah had not been a player he knew extensively before the tour, although his batting for Peshawar had brought him into consideration.

&ldquo;Not too much, to be honest. I learned about his batting, as he came in as an opener [for Peshawar].&rdquo;

Babar also defended Pakistan&rsquo;s decision to field three fast bowlers instead of including a specialist spinner. He said the surface and conditions had favoured pace throughout the Test.

&ldquo;Don&#39;t think so,&rdquo; said Babar when asked about missing a spinner. &ldquo;The conditions have been grassy and that&#39;s why we played with three fast bowlers.&rdquo;

The defeat leaves Pakistan with plenty to assess before their next Test assignment, with Babar insisting that the team must now determine which players give them the best balance for the conditions ahead.

Following England’s 3-0 series sweep, Babar Speaks on Pakistan defeat, admitting squad mistakes while backing new talent and confirming his role as Test skipper.

Babar Speaks on Pakistan Defeat: Captain Urges Review After Whitewash

BIRMINGHAM: A clinical England side completed their summer dominance in emphatic fashion on Saturday as Eng defeats Pak in 3rd Test at Edgbaston. Showcasing their trademark tactical superiority, the hosts chased down a modest target of 130 runs on the fourth morning to win by a comfortable margin.&nbsp;

With this comprehensive victory, England won by 8 wickets to put the final touches on a highly lopsided three-match series.The result ensures that the home side has completely reasserted their red-ball dominance on the international stage. By securing a flawless 3-0 clean sweep, England whitewashed Pakistan in a manner that leaves the visiting camp facing severe scrutiny regarding their top-order fragility and lack of tactical depth under pressure.

The match had taken a dramatic turn on the third evening, thanks to an extraordinary rearguard action from Pakistani <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/pakistan-vs-england-third-day-edgbaston-test-report/8035-5-0">debutant Razaullah</a>. Coming in at number nine with his side staring at an innings defeat, the 21-year-old unleashed a whirlwind 81 off just 63 balls. Smashed into the Birmingham sky, his dynamic innings included nine sixes, equalling the world record for a Test debutant, and single-handedly dragged Pakistan to a total of 449 in their second innings.&nbsp;

Supported by a gritty 95 from <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/eng-vs-pak-3rd-test-azan-and-shan-half-centuries-lead-pakistan-fightback/8029-5-0">Shan Masood</a> and a returned-to-form 76 from <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/eng-vs-pak-3rd-test-babar-comeback-in-style-with-gritty-fifty/8032-5-0">captain Babar Azam</a>, the lower-order fightback forced England to bat again under the clear morning skies of Day 4.

However, the final morning wobble proved to be short-lived. Pakistan&#39;s frontline bowlers harboured faint hopes of a miraculous turnaround when they dismissed English openers Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay in rapid succession during the very first over of the chase. Reduced to a nervy 2-2, the Edgbaston crowd fell silent, sensing a brief opening for the visitors.&nbsp;

Cometh the hour, cometh the veteran. Captain Joe Root arrived at the crease to steady the ship alongside the explosive Jordan Cox. Root played the anchor role to absolute perfection, blending soft hands with precise rotation of strike to defuse the initial swing. He remained unbeaten on a pristine 62. At the other end, Cox played with fluid aggression, punishing any short deliveries from the Pakistani pacers to bring up an entertaining 59.&nbsp;

Together, the duo combined for an unbroken partnership, ticking off the remaining runs with supreme confidence to secure the victory before the lunch interval.&nbsp;

For Pakistan, the series concludes with massive questions surrounding their selection policy and technical application in English conditions. Apart from the individual brilliance of Razaullah&rsquo;s debut and flashes of resilience from the veteran batsmen, the tourists failed to put together cohesive team performances across all three matches.&nbsp;

Having succumbed to heavy defeats at Leeds and Lord&#39;s earlier in the tour, this final loss encapsulates a difficult tour for the subcontinental side. Conversely, England walks away with a reinforced World Test Championship campaign, riding high on a flawless tactical display.

England won by 8 wickets in the 3rd Test at Edgbaston. Joe Root's unbeaten 62 seals a 3-0 clean sweep against Pakistan.

ENG vs PAK 3rd Test: England Won by 8 Wickets

Razaullah had a debut to remember for Pakistan as he produced a stunning display with the bat against England on Friday. The young batter hit nine sixes in his first Test, putting him level with New Zealand&rsquo;s Tim Southee for the most sixes scored on Test debut.

The 21-year-old was brought into Pakistan&rsquo;s squad along with six other players for the third Test against England. Unfortunately, his first outing with the bat did not go according to the plan, as he made only 11 runs from 11 deliveries.

However, things changed dramatically when Razaullah returned to the crease in the second innings. Instead of settling in, he took the aggressive route and put England&rsquo;s bowlers under pressure from the start.

Razaullah struck nine sixes and four boundaries during his impressive 81-run innings. Due to his spectacular batting performance, Pakistan finished the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/pakistan-vs-england-third-day-edgbaston-test-report/8035-5-0">third day</a> of the Edgbaston Test strongly, giving England a tricky target of 130 to win the match.

Notably, the nine sixes struck by Razaullah also saw him join Southee at the top of the Test debut sixes list. Southee had achieved the same feat when he played his first Test for New Zealand against England in 2008.

Razaullah&rsquo;s performance also gave him a record of his own. His nine sixes are now the most by a player making his Test debut away from home. He moved ahead of West Indies batter Kyle Mayers, who had hit seven sixes during his debut Test against Bangladesh in 2021.

<h2>Most Sixes in an Innings on Test Debut</h2>

<ul>
	<li>9 - Tim Southee (New Zealand) against ENG in 2008</li>
	<li>9 - Razaullah (Pakistan) against England in 2026*</li>
	<li>7 - Kyle Mayers (West Indies) vs Bangladesh in 2021</li>
</ul>

Razaullah&rsquo;s attacking knock also helped Pakistan hit 12 sixes in their second innings against England. That is now their joint-third-highest number of sixes in a Test innings. Pakistan&rsquo;s record for the most sixes in an innings stands at 15, which they hit against New Zealand in the 2002 Lahore Test.

<h2>Most Sixes by Pakistan in a Test innings</h2>

<ul>
	<li>15 against New Zealand in 2002</li>
	<li>13 against Zimbabwe in 1996</li>
	<li>13 against England in 2005</li>
	<li>12 against India in 2006</li>
	<li>12 against Sri Lanka in 2009</li>
	<li>12 against England in 2026</li>
</ul>

Razaullah matched Tim Southee’s Test debut record with nine sixes, as his explosive 81 helped Pakistan set England a challenging target at Edgbaston.

Razaullah Makes History By Matching Southee’s Test Debut Record

Pakistan fought back strongly in the second innings, with debutant Razaullah and Mohammad Abbas putting together a crucial 121-run stand for the ninth wicket. Their partnership allowed Pakistan to finish the third day with a much better target for England at Edgbaston.

After being dismissed for only 133 in the first innings, Pakistan were staring at an innings defeat and needed 320 runs to stay in the game. However, they showed much more fight in their second attempt, eventually reaching 449 before being bowled out after facing 96.4 overs.

Pakistan began the third day with Azan and Masood at the crease, with the score standing at 52/2. The two left-handers picked up from where they had left off the previous evening and continued to build their partnership.

The stand finally came to an end in the 31st over when Dan Lawrence dismissed Azan. The Pakistan batter edged a delivery from Lawrence to Jordan Cox, who took the catch behind the stumps brilliantly.

After Azan walked back, Babar joined Masood at the crease. The experienced pair kept Pakistan moving forward and added 59 runs without losing any wicket before Lunch.

The visitors then added 113 runs in the second session, while England picked up two wickets as the game remained closely balanced.

Masood and captain Babar continued their fourth-wicket stand after the break and took it to 89 runs. However, Masood fell just five runs short of his century when Gus Atkinson dismissed him.

Saud Shakil then joined Babar in the middle to build another important partnership for Pakistan. The pair added 64 runs for the fifth wicket, with Babar also reaching his 34th Test century during the stand.

The Pakistan captain was looking set for a big score, but his innings ended when Josh Tongue had him caught behind on 76.&nbsp; After the two set batters were dismissed, Saud and Ghazi played carefully and added 19 runs for the sixth wicket. The umpires then called for Tea, bringing the session to an end.

Saud and Ghazi then returned to the crease with Pakistan on 297/5 at the start of the final session. However, the green shirts could add only nine more runs before Ghori lost his wicket after scoring just 16 runs. Mohammad Imran also went back to the pavilion quickly, as England made a strong comeback through Robinson&rsquo;s strikes.

Mohammad Abbas then joined Razaullah at the crease, and played a blinder to take the game away from England.

The duo added 121 runs together, taking Pakistan&#39;s lead beyond 100. Razaullah was certainly the star performer in this partnership, as he scored an impressive 81 off 63 balls to stun England completely. Due to his spectacular batting, Pakistan completed a remarkable turnaround and finished the day with 449 on the board in 96.4 overs.

Pakistan fought back strongly at Edgbaston, with Razaullah’s impressive 81 helping the visitors recover and put England under pressure before the close of play.

Razaullah, Abbas Rescue Pakistan To Set England a Tricky Target in Third Test

BIRMINGHAM: A sensational lower-order fightback has breathed new life into Pakistan&#39;s tour, as a monumental 100-run partnership for the ninth wicket between debutant Razaullah and Mohammad Abbas completely altered the complexion of the third Test against England at Edgbaston.&nbsp;

Trailing by a massive 320 runs after the first innings, Pakistan looked down and out, facing an imminent series whitewash. However, an extraordinary display of defiance on Day 3 pushed Pakistan&#39;s total to 433 for 8, establishing an improbable second-innings lead of 113 runs.

The headline of the day belonged to the 21-year-old debutant, whose fearless counter-attack culminated in a breathtaking Razaullah half-century. Coming to the crease when Pakistan risked collapsing before wiping out the deficit completely, the young quick played an innings that defied his lack of international experience. Razaullah bludgeoned a blistering 73 off just 48 deliveries, lighting up Birmingham with an array of clean hitting that included four boundaries and a staggering eight colossal sixes.&nbsp;

His fearless approach threw England&#39;s aggressive bowling plans into disarray, forcing captain Joe Root to consistently alter his fields. Crucial to this rearguard masterpiece was the stoic support of Mohammad Abbas. Known more for his precision with the ball, Abbas showcased immense composure with the blade, anchoring his end perfectly while turning over the strike.&nbsp;

Abbas accumulated a vital 40 runs off 57 balls, hitting five boundaries and two sixes. Together, Razaullah and Abbas weathered an intense storm from England&rsquo;s premier fast bowlers, neutralising the raw pace of Jofra Archer and the relentless lines of Gus Atkinson. Their unbroken century stand became the first major lower-order milestone for Pakistan in this series, frustrating the hosts who had envisioned an early wrap-up before the weekend.

Earlier in the day, the foundations of the Pakistani resistance were laid by top-order resilience. <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/eng-vs-pak-3rd-test-azan-and-shan-half-centuries-lead-pakistan-fightback/8029-5-0">Shan Masood</a> led the initial charge with a gritty 95, falling agonisingly short of a well-deserved century. Masood was ably assisted by <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/eng-vs-pak-3rd-test-babar-comeback-in-style-with-gritty-fifty/8032-5-0">Babar Azam</a>, who roared back into form with an elegant 76. Azan Awais also contributed a vital 59 in the morning session, shifting the momentum away from England&#39;s 453-run first-innings total.

Despite a middle-order hiccup where England picked up quick wickets through Atkinson and Tongue, the spectacular late-day show from Razaullah and Abbas ensured Pakistan survived the final sessions. England&#39;s bowlers, who looked utterly dominant on the first two days, ran out of answers as the pitch flattened under the afternoon sun.&nbsp;

With two wickets still remaining and the lead slowly creeping past the 110-run threshold, Pakistan has successfully pushed the match into a fourth day, setting up an intriguing battle as they attempt to salvage pride in the final match of the series.

A blistering Razaullah half-century and a monumental 100-run partnership with Mohammad Abbas turned the 3rd Test around, giving Pakistan a 113-run lead at Edgbaston.

Razaullah and Abbas 100-Run Partnership Rescues Pakistan

BIRMINGHAM: A compelling second session on Day 3 of the third Test at Edgbaston witnessed a magnificent fightback from Pakistan, marked by a roaring return to form from their marquee batsman.&nbsp;

Walking into the middle under an avalanche of pressure following a prolonged lean patch, the master batsman silenced his critics emphatically, bringing up a vital Babar&#39;s half-century to breathe life back into the tourists&#39; salvage mission. His authoritative presence alongside an equally resilient lower-middle order has kept the game alive, prompting a burning question across the cricketing world: Can Pakistan gain a good lead from here?

The day began with Pakistan resuming their second innings on 52/2, carrying a massive 268-run first-innings deficit. The initial heavy lifting was executed flawlessly by the left-handed pair of <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/eng-vs-pak-3rd-test-azan-and-shan-half-centuries-lead-pakistan-fightback/8029-5-0">Shan Masood and Azan Awais</a>, who weathered testing early spells from England&#39;s formidable pace attack. Together, they put on a gritty 125-run stand for the third wicket under overcast Birmingham skies. Awais showed immense temperament for his 59 before feathering an edge down the leg-side to stand-in wicketkeeper Jordan Cox off the bowling of part-time spinner Dan Lawrence.

The breakthrough paved the way for the match&#39;s most anticipated entry. Arriving at the crease right after Awais&#39;s departure, Babar Azam joined Masood and stamped his class from the onset. Unfazed by the hostile English bowling and the lingering weight of past low scores, Babar began executing his signature strokes with pristine timing.&nbsp;

From his very first boundary, a glorious cover drive that raced away across the outfield, it was a certified Babar comeback in style. He handled the reverse-swing expertly, using soft hands to blunt Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer, seamlessly pacing his innings to reach a masterclass fifty.

While Babar consolidated at one end, Pakistan suffered a heartbreaking blow when Masood fell just short of a well-deserved milestone. The left-hander, who anchored the innings brilliantly, was dismissed for 95 by a sharp delivery from Atkinson. Despite losing his trusted partner, Babar remained completely unperturbed. He anchored the remaining part of the session alongside Saud Shakeel, pushing Pakistan to a more respectable 266/4 and whittling the overarching deficit down to just 54 runs.

Whether Babar can completely turn the tide depends entirely on his ability to lead from here. With the pitch showing subtle signs of wear and tear and England still ahead in overall win probability, Pakistan&#39;s hopes rest squarely on Babar&#39;s shoulders. If he can convert his current half-century into a massive, match-defining hundred, the lower order will have the exact foundation needed to apply pressure back onto the hosts during the final innings.&nbsp;

Babar's half-century led Pakistan's fightback at Edgbaston, reaching 266/4 on Day 3. Can Pakistan gain a good lead from here to stun England?

ENG vs PAK 3rd Test: Babar Comeback in Style With Gritty Fifty

BIRMINGHAM: Shan Masood and Azan Awais put together Pakistan&#39;s most disciplined batting display of the summer, fighting through a tense morning session to keep England&rsquo;s clinical pace attack at bay on Day 3 at Edgbaston.

Resuming on a precarious 52 for 2 and still staring down a massive 268-run first-innings deficit, the duo combined for an unbroken century stand. In doing so, they ensured Pakistan did not shed a single wicket before the first interval, grinding down the initial venom of a swinging Duke ball.

<h2>Blunting Robinson&#39;s Threat</h2>

With overcast conditions offering plenty of assistance early on, England immediately searched for the lethal edge that had demolished Pakistan&rsquo;s openers for ducks late on <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/eng-vs-pak-3rd-test-day-2-england-close-to-clean-sweep-at-edgbaston/8014-5-0">Day 2</a>. Ollie Robinson, operating with a ruthless economy rate of just over one run per over, gave nothing away.

But where Pakistan&rsquo;s top order has repeatedly capitulated this series, Masood and Awais showed the necessary technical adjustment. The left-handed Awais left exceptionally well outside his off-stump, refusing to dangle his bat at Robinson&rsquo;s probing length. Masood, meanwhile, played close to his body, using soft hands to ensure any aerial deviations fell well short of Ben Duckett and Jordan Cox in the slip cordon.

<h2>Milestones Fuel Post-Collapse Recovery</h2>

As the lacquer wore off and the pitch began to settle under the heavy Birmingham skies, the scoring opportunities opened up. Joe Root rotated Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue into the attack to disrupt the rhythm with extra pace, but the Pakistani pair held firm. Masood targeted the leg-side gaps, ticking over the strike with crisp glances, while Awais unleashed a couple of authoritative cover drives that found the boundary ropes.

The session&rsquo;s defining framework came via the Azan and Shan half-centuries. Masood was the first to cross the line, raising a fighting fifty that held immense weight given his recent form. Awais followed minutes later, capitalizing on an overpitched delivery from Tongue to reach his own half-century off just 72 balls. It was a vital milestone for the 21-year-old opener, who grew visibly more confident with every passing over.

<h2>The Road Ahead</h2>

By the time lunch arrived, the partnership had safely breached the 100-run milestone, steering Pakistan to 125 for 2. While England remains firmly in the driver&#39;s seat with a commanding 203-run cushion, this morning&rsquo;s defiance means a three-day finish is no longer a foregone conclusion.

Azan Awais and Shan Masood hit gritty half-centuries in an unbroken century stand to lead Pakistan's fightback on Day 3 at Edgbaston.

ENG vs PAK 3rd Test: Azan and Shan Half-Centuries Lead Pakistan Fightback

England tightened their grip on the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/watch/england-vs-pakistan-highlights-3rd-test-match-day-02/13399970">third Test at Edgbaston</a> on Thursday, September 10, after reaching 453 in their first innings and reducing Pakistan to 52/2 before rain brought an early end to play.

Pakistan, who were bowled out for just 133 in their first innings, now trail by 268 runs with eight wickets remaining. England lead the three-match series 2-0 and are pushing for a clean sweep.&nbsp;

The hosts resumed Day 2 on 156/4 and added 297 runs before being dismissed in the 89th over. Harry Brook top-scored with 75, while Jamie Smith made 69 and Dan Lawrence scored 65.

<h2>England Extend Lead to 320 Runs</h2>

Brook and Lawrence continued their partnership after England resumed at 156/4. Brook reached 75 from 97 balls before being run out while attempting a quick single, ending another promising innings before he could reach three figures.&nbsp;

Lawrence followed with 65, while Smith added a brisk 69 to keep England moving quickly. The lower order then added further runs, with Ollie Robinson scoring an entertaining 50 and Jofra Archer contributing 32.

Pakistan&#39;s best bowler was debutant Razaullah, who finished with 4/148 from 23 overs. Mohammad Imran took 2/47, while Mohammad Ali claimed 2/92.

England eventually reached 453, giving them a huge 320-run advantage over Pakistan.&nbsp;

<h2>Robinson Strikes Twice as Pakistan Collapse Again</h2>

Pakistan&#39;s second innings began disastrously. <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/pakistan-vs-england-second-day-edgbaston-test-report/8017-5-0">Ollie Robinson</a> struck with the first ball of Pakistan&rsquo;s second innings, dismissing Saim Ayub before removing Abdullah Shafique for a duck three balls later to leave Pakistan 0/2.

Azan Awais and Shan Masood then stopped the collapse. Azan played positively, reaching an unbeaten 29 from 30 balls with six fours, while Shan remained unbeaten on 21 from 42 deliveries.

The pair added an unbeaten 52-run stand for the third wicket, taking Pakistan to 52/2 after 12.4 overs. Robinson finished the short innings with 2/10 from six overs.&nbsp;

Rain eventually forced an early finish at Edgbaston, with Pakistan still 268 runs behind England. The visitors will resume their second innings on Day 3 needing a major batting effort simply to make England bat again.

England remain firmly in control and are now just eight wickets away from completing a 3-0 Test series sweep.&nbsp;

Enjoy the Pakistan vs England Test series live on Tapmad and catch all the key moments, match highlights and latest action from every game.&nbsp;

Pakistan trail England by 268 runs after Day 2 of the third Test as Ollie Robinson strikes twice and rain ends play early at Edgbaston.

Pakistan vs England Day 2 Highlights as Robinson Rocks Pakistan Top Order

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Pakistan Tour of England 2026

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