England Complete Historic 3-0 Whitewash of Pakistan with Edgbaston Victory

Babar Azam urges Pakistan to ‘admit mistakes’ and settle on strongest XI after first-ever home-series whitewash by England

Sports Desk

EDGBASTON: England completed a historic 3-0 Test series whitewash against struggling Pakistan on Saturday, defeating the visitors by eight wickets at Edgbaston after Joe Root and Jordan Cox calmly chased down a modest target of 130.

Pakistan’s defeat marked the first time England had whitewashed the Green Shirts in a home Test series, adding to victories at Headingley and Lord’s. The hosts, however, were given an early scare when Mohammad Abbas dismissed openers Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay for ducks in a dramatic opening over.

Root and Cox then steadied England’s chase with composed half-centuries, guiding the hosts to victory in just 25 overs. Root remained unbeaten on 62 off 69 balls, while Cox finished 59 not out from 76 deliveries.

The result capped a dominant series for England and another disappointing campaign for Pakistan, who underwent a major overhaul midway through the tour following heavy defeats in the opening two Tests.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who missed the first Test because of injury, called for an honest assessment of the team’s shortcomings after the historic defeat.

“We need to sit down and admit our mistakes, and then work out our best XI,” Babar said at the post-match presentation. He also confirmed that he would continue as Pakistan’s Test captain, while stressing that team selection would have to take conditions into account. Babar praised the younger players who were given opportunities during the series and said they had performed with encouraging confidence.

The captain singled out debutant Razaullah, who scored 92 runs and claimed four wickets across the two innings in his first Test, describing the 21-year-old as a “very good talent”.

Babar also defended Pakistan’s decision to field three fast bowlers rather than include a specialist spinner, saying the grassy English conditions favoured pace.

“Don’t think so,” Babar said when asked whether Pakistan had missed a spin option. “The conditions have been grassy and that’s why we played with three fast bowlers.”

Abbas provided Pakistan with its brightest moment in England’s final innings, striking twice in the opening over and briefly raising hopes of an unlikely turnaround. Root and Cox, however, absorbed the pressure and ensured there was no further damage.

Root reached his 69th Test half-century during the chase and also completed 1,000 Test runs at Edgbaston, further underlining his influence on England’s successful campaign.

Cox, meanwhile, registered his third half-century of the series and continued an impressive start to his Test career. With England comfortably securing the target, Abbas finished as Pakistan’s only wicket-taker in the innings, with the remaining bowlers unable to break the Root-Cox partnership.

The emphatic series result leaves Pakistan facing a period of reflection as the team seeks to identify its strongest combination and rebuild after a bruising tour of England.