Birmingham, September 10, 2026: England strengthened their grip on the third Test against Pakistan after posting a mammoth 453 all out on the second day at Edgbaston on Thursday, securing a commanding 320-run first-innings lead.
Resuming their innings at 299/6 after lunch, England added 154 runs before being bowled out in 89 overs.
Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson extended their seventh-wicket partnership to 68 runs before Mohammad Imran claimed his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Atkinson for 19 off 36 balls.
Smith then added 41 runs with Ollie Robinson for the eighth wicket before debutant pacer Razaullah dismissed him. Smith scored a valuable 69 off 84 deliveries, including nine fours and a six.
Robinson continued to frustrate Pakistan’s bowlers, hitting a brisk 50 off 47 balls, while Jofra Archer remained unbeaten on 32 and Josh Tongue contributed 15.
Razaullah was Pakistan’s most successful bowler, finishing with 4-148 from 23 overs. Imran and Mohammad Ali claimed two wickets each, while Mohammad Abbas took one.
England had resumed the day at 156/4, with Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence at the crease.
The pair extended their fifth-wicket partnership to 86 before Brook was run out for a brisk 75 off 97 balls, including six fours.
Lawrence then combined with Smith to add 64 for the sixth wicket before Imran dismissed Lawrence for 65 off 82 balls, with the batter hitting nine fours.
Smith and Atkinson added only six more runs before the opening session ended.
Pakistan were bowled out for 133 in their first innings, leaving England with a substantial 320-run advantage.
