Birmingham (Web Desk): Emilio Gay and Harry Brook hit valuable half-centuries as England recovered from an early collapse to finish the opening day of the third Test at Edgbaston 23 runs ahead of Pakistan.
Chasing Pakistan’s first-innings total of 133, England also found themselves in trouble early in their reply. Mohammad Ali provided Pakistan with their first breakthrough in the fourth over, removing Ben Duckett for 11. Duckett edged behind to Babar Azam at slip, leaving England on 12.
Pakistan struck again only 13 deliveries later when Mohammad Abbas trapped Jordan Cox in front of the stumps for four, leaving England struggling at 24-2
Gay and England captain Joe Root attempted to steady the innings, putting together 15 runs for the third wicket. Their partnership was broken early in the final session when Test debutant Razaullah dismissed Root lbw for eight.
Brook arrived at the crease and formed a crucial partnership with Gay. The two batters successfully countered Pakistan’s attack, adding 104 runs for the fourth wicket and moving England into the lead.
Razaullah eventually ended the stand late in the day, having Gay caught after the opener made a patient 60 from 114 balls. His innings included nine boundaries, with England reaching 143-4.
Brook and Lawrence then survived the remaining overs without further damage, putting on 13 unbeaten runs for the fifth wicket and giving England a strong position at the close.
Razaullah led Pakistan’s bowling effort with figures of 2-42, while Abbas and Ali picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan had been dismissed for 133 after choosing to bat first. Their innings began disastrously when Ollie Robinson struck in the third over, trapping Saim Ayub lbw for a duck from 10 balls.
Archer soon joined the attack, sending back Azan Awais for nine from 20 deliveries. The opener hit two fours before his dismissal, which left Pakistan at 14-2 after 5.5 overs.
Robinson then claimed his second wicket by removing Abdullah Shafique for just three from 16 balls. Archer struck again in the following over, dismissing former Pakistan captain Shan Masood for five off seven deliveries as the visitors slipped to 28-4.
Pakistan’s problems deepened in the 15th over when Josh Tongue bowled Babar Azam for seven from 18 balls. Babar managed only one boundary before departing, with Pakistan reduced to 48-5.
Debutant wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori opened his Test account with a four against Tongue, but his stay was brief. The England seamer soon dismissed him for four from five balls, claiming his second wicket of the innings.
Tongue continued to cause problems and soon accounted for another debutant, Imran Randhawa. His dismissal left Pakistan in serious trouble at 84-7 after 20.4 overs.
Razaullah contributed 11 before Robinson removed him shortly after lunch, taking Pakistan to 101-8. Saud Shakeel continued to fight back, scoring a rapid 43 from 47 balls, but his dismissal came with the total on 107.
Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali then added a valuable 26 runs for the final wicket before Archer removed Abbas, bringing Pakistan’s innings to an end at 133.
Tongue was England’s leading wicket-taker with four dismissals, while Archer and Robinson finished with three wickets apiece.