Josh Tongue produced the key moment of the third Test at Edgbaston, bowling Babar Azam for seven as Pakistan slipped deeper into trouble on the opening day. The dismissal came at 14.6 overs and highlighted England’s pace-driven control, with Pakistan already five wickets down for 48 runs.
England’s pace attack keeps Pakistan under pressure
England’s seam unit struck early and often, continuing the pattern that had defined the first two Tests. With Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Gus Atkinson and Tongue operating in tandem, Pakistan were repeatedly forced onto the back foot and were unable to establish a stable top-order base.
Babar faced 18 deliveries and managed only one boundary before Tongue found the ideal length. The ball was clocked at 88 mph (141 kph), jagged in off the seam and struck the top of off stump after the batter left a gap between bat and pad.
Dismissal details
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Runs scored | 7 |
| Balls faced | 18 |
| Boundary count | 1 |
| Dismissal over | 14.6 |
| Pakistan score at wicket | 48/5 |
| Delivery pace | 88 mph (141 kph) |
Babar’s series numbers show the slump
The wicket added to Babar’s difficult tour of England. In the second Test at Lord’s, he made eight in the first innings and six in the second, and his seven at Edgbaston took his total to just 21 runs in three innings in the series.
That produces an average of 7.00 across the three completed innings, a figure far below the standard expected from Pakistan’s captain and one of their most experienced batters. For a player known for consistency across formats, the current return reflects a clear drop in conversion and start-to-finish control.
Series batting snapshot
| Innings | Score |
|---|
| First innings at Lord’s | 8 |
| Second innings at Lord’s | 6 |
| First innings at Edgbaston | 7 |
| Total runs in series | 21 |
| Average across three innings | 7.00 |
Pakistan’s top-order collapse shapes the match
Pakistan lost six wickets within 17 overs after being asked to bat first, a collapse that left the innings heavily dependent on the lower order. Early dismissals removed the platform before Babar arrived, and England’s attack maintained the pressure with disciplined lengths and movement off the pitch.
The wicket pattern also underlined the gap in control between the sides. England entered the match with a 2-0 series lead and had already won the second Test by an innings and 103 runs inside three days, a result that reflected their superior bowling efficiency and Pakistan’s inability to build innings under sustained seam movement.
Why the dismissal matters statistically
| Indicator | Context |
|---|
| Pakistan wickets lost | 6 in 17 overs |
| Wickets down at Babar's dismissal | 5 |
| England series lead | 2-0 |
| Pakistan record at Edgbaston | 0 wins in 8 Tests |
Historical context adds to Pakistan’s problems
Pakistan’s record at Edgbaston remains a significant concern. They have now played eight Tests at the venue without a win, with five defeats and three draws, a record that reinforces how difficult the ground has been for them across multiple tours and conditions.
For England, the match also fit a broader team trend. They had not won three Tests in a row since the summer of 2024, when they produced a five-match winning run against West Indies and Sri Lanka. With the series already secured, the Edgbaston Test offered another example of England’s pace bowling depth and Pakistan’s ongoing batting instability.
From a performance standpoint, Tongue’s wicket was more than a highlight. It was a continuation of England’s numerical dominance in the series: early wickets, low opposition totals, and repeated pressure on Pakistan’s top order. If the batting return remains near current levels, Pakistan’s series numbers will continue to reflect the same underlying issue—insufficient starts converted into meaningful partnerships.