Pakistan fell to 133 all out on the opening day of the Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday after yet another disappointing batting display that has hurt Pakistan’s tour of England.
Pakistan, down 2-0 in the three-match series, dropped seven players and fired head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul after a heavy 194-run loss in the second Test at Lord’s.
They introduced three debutants in four changes to their side in Birmingham. The reshuffle, as expected, made little difference, with Pakistan still unable to score 200 in five innings.
Pakistan again could not answer Ollie Robinson (3-15) and Jofra Archer (3-25) as the new-ball pair used overcast conditions after England captain Joe Root won the toss.
Pakistani paceman Josh Tongue joined in with 4-42, taking his wickets in an innings finished in 34 overs.
Only Saud Shakeel, fresh from his 97 at Lord’s, gave some resistance, scoring 43 before tailender Mohammad Abbas was the man out for 21.
Pakistan’s latest slump began when recalled opener Saim Ayub was out for a duck lbw to a Robinson nip-backer as the 32-year-old took his 100th Test wicket.
Quick Archer then dismissed Azan Awais with a ball. Abdullah Shafique nicked Robinson to gully, and Pakistan were 26-4 inside 10 overs when experienced Shan Masood was out trying to pull Archer.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam, without a Test century for four years, was out for just seven clean bowled by a sharp Tongue delivery that bounced off the seam.
Pakistan were 64-6 when wicket-keeper Ghazi Ghori, one of the three Pakistan debutants along with Mohammad Imran and Razaullah, was lbw to Tongue for four.
Pakistan, who have lost 15 of their 20 Tests, were down seven before lunch when Tongue bowled Imran for five with a brilliant yorker that broke a stump.
Razaullah hit the last ball of the session from Tongue over cover for four to reach 100.
Razaullah, however, was out on his ball after lunch his edged drive off Robinson’s leg-cutter flew to Ben Duckett in the slips.
Saud’s impressive 47-ball innings, with seven fours, ended when he was bowled between bat and pad by a seaming Tongue delivery that knocked over his stumps, leaving Pakistan 107-9.
Abbas batted bravely before edging Archer to slip.
