Robinson’s Explosive Start Leaves Pakistan on Precipice of Series Whitewash

Ollie Robinson struck with the very first ball of Pakistan’s second innings at Edgbaston, continuing a sensational summer that has England poised for a 3-0 series whitewash in the third Test.

The 32-year-old fast bowler, man of the match in the first two Tests, removed Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique in quick succession to finish the day with figures of 2-10 from six overs.

Demoralised tourists reached 52-2 before rain halted proceedings early on day two, still requiring 268 runs to force England to bat again.

Robinson has been almost unplayable throughout the series, claiming 21 wickets at an average under seven runs each.

“He’s probably one of the most consistent bowlers in world cricket. He knows what he’s doing with the ball, and he wears you down a bit so it’s a challenge,” said Pakistan batting coach Mike Smith. “He has bowled exceptionally well, and he’s in a little purple patch as a player. We need to find a way to combat that as well as we can.”

Shan Masood, dropped at slip by Ben Duckett off Gus Atkinson, remained 21 not out at the close alongside opener Azan Awais on 29, but Pakistan’s position appeared hopeless.

England, who held a 23-run overnight lead, had earlier extended their first-innings advantage to a daunting 320, posting 453 in their first knock.

Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence shared an 86-run fifth-wicket partnership before Brook set off for an impossible single and was run out by Masood for 75 off 97 balls. Lawrence went on to make 65 from 82 balls before dragging a wide ball onto his stumps to give Mohammad Imran his first Test wicket. It marked a third consecutive Test half-century for Lawrence, recalled after a two-year absence.

“I’m really happy with how I’ve contributed,” said Lawrence. “I was feeling really good today, got on a bit of a roll with Brooky and went with it. I thought I was going to make a really big score, to be honest. It wasn’t to be, but if I’d been offered 65 at the start of the day, I’d have taken it.”

Out-of-form Jamie Smith provided another welcome contribution, striking 69 off 84 balls including one six and nine fours, despite an uncertain start and a finger injury that saw him hand over the gloves to Jordan Cox. It was his highest Test score since making 88 in the second innings against India at the same ground 14 months prior.

Robinson also chipped in with a counterattacking 50, which included a huge six into the Hollies Stand off Mohammad Abbas, before becoming Razaullah’s fourth victim.

The introduction of the 21-year-old, who had only eight first-class games to his name before his call-up, represented one of the few positives for Pakistan. While expensive – conceding 148 runs off 23 overs – he posed a genuine threat with his pace and aggression.

Razaullah may signal a brighter future for Pakistan, but the present remains bleak for a side that has lost 15 of its last 20 Tests.

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