England make history with 3-0 Test series whitewash over Pakistan

Birmingham (Web Desk): England completed a commanding 3-0 series sweep over Pakistan after cruising to an eight-wicket victory in the third and final Test at Edgbaston on Saturday, with Jordan Cox and captain Joe Root producing composed half-centuries to finish the chase.

Needing only 130 runs for victory, England suffered an alarming start as both openers, Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay, were removed without scoring in the very first over. However, Root and Cox steadied the innings with a confident partnership, scoring 62 and 59 respectively to take their side safely across the finish line.

The result marked the first time England had whitewashed Pakistan in a Test series on Pakistani soil. The visitors had already secured victories in the first two Tests at Headingley and Lord’s before completing the clean sweep in the final encounter.

With two days still left in the match, England began their modest run chase but were immediately put under pressure by Pakistan’s experienced pacer Mohammad Abbas. The veteran bowler struck twice in the opening over, sending Duckett and Gay back to the pavilion for ducks and giving Pakistan an early glimpse of a possible fightback.

Root then walked in and combined with Cox to rebuild the innings. The pair avoided unnecessary risks and negotiated Pakistan’s bowling attack with patience as England gradually moved closer to the target.

Pakistan came close to breaking the partnership at the end of the 10th over when Root edged a delivery from Mohammad Ali onto the stumps, but the dismissal was ruled out because the bowler had overstepped the crease. England were 35 for two at that stage, and the reprieve proved costly for Pakistan.

Root took full advantage of the let-off, reaching his 69th Test half-century in the 19th over.

The milestone also saw the England captain complete 1,000 Test runs at the venue, adding another achievement to his impressive career record.

Cox followed his captain to 53 overs later, reaching the landmark in the 22nd over after striking Saim Ayub through deep midwicket for four. It was his third half-century of the home series and another significant contribution early in his Test career.

The winning runs arrived in the second delivery of the 25th over when Cox pierced the covers against Mohammad Imran and collected the single that sealed England’s eight-wicket triumph.

Root finished as England’s leading run-scorer in the chase, remaining unbeaten on 62 from 69 balls, while Cox ended the match not out on 59 off 76 deliveries.

For Pakistan, Abbas was the only bowler to make an impact in England’s final innings, claiming both wickets to fall.

None of the other Pakistan bowlers managed to add to the wicket tally as England comfortably completed the chase and secured a historic series whitewash.