England vs Pakistan PAK in ENG, 3 Tests, 2026, Full Score Card

Jordan Cox hits the winning runs! Mohammad Imran goes full again, on off, Jordan Cox drills it towards cover, where a fumble allows a run. ENGLAND WIN BY 8 WICKETS AND TAKE THE SERIES 3-0!

SCORES LEVEL! Fuller and around off, Joe Root drives it wide of mid off for a single.

Surely, this is the final over of the series. Cox seemingly looked keen for the skipper to finish things off with the winning runs.

Slows it up, full and on off, Jordan Cox defends it on the front foot.

Loopy one, full and on middle, Jordan Cox bunts it out towards mid on.

Flatter, short and on off, Jordan Cox stabs it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, full and on off, Jordan Cox blocks it out.

FOUR! Gets it away! Saim Ayub drops it short and around off. Jordan Cox rocks back on the back foot and slaps it through extra covers for a boundary. England need just 2 runs to win now!

Floated, full and on off, Joe Root pushes it through covers for a single.

Pitched up and on off, Jordan Cox is solid in his defense again.

Full again and around off, Jordan Cox steps across and taps it towards short cover.

Much fuller and on off, Jordan Cox drives it towards mid off.

Good length and on off, nips back in, Jordan Cox pats it towards mid off.

Full and on middle, angling in, Joe Root clips it to the right of square leg for a quick run.

Back of a length and around off, Jordan Cox steers it to deep point for a single.

England need 9 runs to win. Could be the last couple of overs of this English Test summer.

Another short delivery, on leg, Jordan Cox nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up, full and outside off, driven firmly back to the bowler.

Flighted, full and on off, Jordan Cox fends it away.

Short again and around off, Jordan Cox punches it wide of sweeper cover for a brace.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR COX! His third half-century in this series. One in Headingley, then at Lord's and he has brought his form to Edgbaston as well. An excellent knock from a player coming in at number 3, and he has had a good series, coming in as a replacement for the injured Jacob Bethell. Dragged back, on middle, Jordan Cox rocks back quickly and heaves it in front of square on the leg side for a boundary.

Floated, full and on off, Jordan Cox taps it towards cover and wants the run but is sent back.

Touch fuller and on middle, Joe Root tucks it to short mid-wicket.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! England are doing it in a canter now! Mohammad Imran bangs this into the pitch, on middle. Joe Root rolls his wrists and pulls it wide of deep square leg. Razaullah runs to his left and gets down to stop it but gets it through and the ball deflects off his left boot to the fence for a boundary.

Back of a length and around off, Jordan Cox punches it through covers for one.

Full and angling into the pads, Joe Root clips it through backward square leg. He calls for two but decides against it in the end and settles for one.

Full and on middle, shaping in sharply. Jordan Cox looks to push it away but gets an inside edge towards fine leg for a run.

On a length and on middle, Joe Root clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

England need just 24 runs to win, and there are still 20 minutes left in the session. Seems like we won't need any extension.

FOUR! Put away! Flatter, full and down the leg side. Jordan Cox goes down and paddles it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Quicker, shortish and on middle, turns in. Jordan Cox gets a bit hurried and stabs it out to the leg side.

Short again and outside off, turns away, Jordan Cox cuts it to point.

Drops it short and around off, Joe Root punches it to sweeper cover for a single. That brings up the 100-RUN STAND between these two batters.

Floated, full and on off, Joe Root goes down for the reverse sweep but gets a bottom edge as the ball bounces into the hands of first slip.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Joe Root prods forward and blocks it out.

We see a change of bats and balls, or helmets and gloves, way too often. But the fourth umpire runs out to hand over a fresh pair of caps to both the on-field umpires. Babar has now finally, belatedly​​​​​​, turned to spin. Saim Ayub is into the attack now. Some flickers and carrom balls on their way.

Pitched up, on middle, shaping in, Jordan Cox tucks it to the leg side.

Fuller in length and just outside off, Jordan Cox leaves it alone.

Back of a length and on middle, Joe Root tucks it through mid-wicket for another run.

Much fuller and on off, Jordan Cox drives it down the pitch. Mohammad Imran gets low on his follow-through to get a hand on it and take the sting out of the ball. It rolls towards mid off and the batters take a run. 100 up for England!

On a length and on leg, Joe Root clips it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR ROOT! The maestro is back among the runs and brings up his 69th Test half-century. Short of a length and well outside off. Joe Root gets the chance to free his arms up and crunches it through point for a boundary. Edgbaston goes 'Rooooooottttt' in delight as the captain has stepped up in need and has brought in a much-needed calm to the crease. He will want to stay till the end here now.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Razaullah errs in line and serves this full but down the leg side. Jordan Cox just has to get some bat on it and he tickles it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Good length and on off, Jordan Cox pats it down in front of point.

Hard length and on off, holds its line. Joe Root steers it off the outer half of the bat towards gully. The fielder dives but can only parry it away. They cross. England need just 40 runs to win now!

Back of a length and around off, Joe Root punches it towards short cover.

Bangs this into the pitch, around middle, Jordan Cox stands tall and swats it through mid-wicket. The fielder gives a good chase and dives forward to make the stop. Three taken.

On a length and on middle, Jordan Cox nudges it through mid-wicket for a brace.

With that sloppy fielding display from Pakistan and a bit of buzzers, that brings up a 1000 Test runs for Root at Edgbaston. He averages 62.56 at this venue, with a best of 142*. Insane numbers from England's batting maestro.

FOUR! Buzzers! Sloppy from Pakistan, with not many runs to play with for them. Mohammad Imran serves this full, on middle, angling in. Joe Root tucks it towards mid-wicket again. The fielder throws it wildly and way over the keeper's head as it races to the fence behind for a boundary. Babar won't be a happy captain seeing some really loose ground fielding in the last few minutes.

Nagging length, on middle, shaping in. Joe Root clips it away but fails to beat mid-wicket.

Hard length and around off, Joe Root guides it away towards point.

Touch fuller and on middle, angling in, Joe Root gets behind the line and blocks it out. No Balls continue for Pakistan as Imran has now overstepped. England need 50 more runs to win now!

On a length and on off, Joe Root stays back and taps it towards short cover.

Back of a length and on off, Joe Root steers it towards point.

Seeing Root step out of the crease on the first ball, the keeper, Ghori, is standing up to the stumps now.

Good length and around off, nips back in a long way. Joe Root steps across and trusts his judgment, leaving it alone.

Mohammad Imran is brought into the attack now, replacing Mohammad Abbas.

Dug into the surface, around off, Joe Root pats it down towards point for one.

Short of a length and on off, Jordan Cox dabs it on front of short cover for a quick single.

FOUR! Classy! Razaullah goes a bit too full and on off. Jordan Cox presents the full face of the bat and drives it gloriously down the ground as the ball races to the long off fence for a boundary.

Ian Ward informs us that lunch is scheduled for 12.15 pm GMT. However, if the umpires feel the game is likely to get close before then, an additional 15 minutes will be added to the session and it will be extended up until 12.30 pm GMT. And with the pace at which runs are coming now, it looks highly likely.

Goes fuller again, on off, Jordan Cox pushes it towards short cover.

Back of a length and around off, Jordan Cox punches it off the back foot through covers for a couple of runs.

Fuller delivery, on off, Jordan Cox drives it off the bottom half of the bat towards mid off.

The skies have turned blue with the dark clouds blown away in the wind. And with that, Razaullah (3-0-21-0) is back on. He was a bit too wayward and expensive in his first spell.

Bowls from a wider angle and attacks the front pad on a full-ish length. Cox plants the front foot across and whips it to deep backward square leg for an easy single.

Aims the stumps, on a length, Cox hangs back and confidently defends it to the off side.

Too straight, on the pads, short in length, Root gently steers it behind sqaure on the leg side for a single.

A good-length delivery that shoots back into the batter, and Root clips it to mid-wicket.

FIVE WIDES! Oh, that has flown off the runway! The young wicket-keeper stands no chance to pluck that off. Way too short from Abbas, on top of the stumps and the ball just springs from the surface, going over Root's head who sways away in time. Ghazi Ghori leaps full stretch with his right hand over his head, but the ball stays above his reach and runs to the fence behind. England need 61 runs to win now.

A slight inswing, full and on off, Root prods forward and blocks off the inside half of the bat.

Attacks the front pad on a fuller length, Root flicks it watchfully to square leg.

First look at spin? Not yet. Also, Joe Root asks for some glue to stick his padding to the helmet, as it has loosened up a bit.

Shortens the length again, on off, Cox camps back and knocks it back past the bowler, and it is cut off by the fielder from mid off.

Short of a length, nipping in a bit. Cox hops off and stabs it down the surface.

FOUR! High class from Cox! Back of a length, on top of off, Jordan Cox rocks back and crisply knocks it across, through widish mid-wicket. Mohammad Abbas from short mid-wicket and another bloke from deep square leg sprint towards the ball with Abbas trying to haul it in with a slide, but he ends up crashing into the cushions while holding the ball. England need 66 runs to win!

Full and outside off, Cox takes his front foot out and defends it to cover.

Straighter on the stumps, on a good length, Root taps it across to the mid-wicket region for a quick single.

Short of a length, nipping down, Cox tucks it off the back foot to the deep square leg region. Razaullah dashes off to his left and makes a good tumbling half-stop, keeping them to a single.

Back of a length, curving in, Root rocks back and stabs it down the pitch.

EDGED AND FOUR! Abbas is absolutely furious as the ball flies through an unmoving slip cordon. Root gets a second life. Around the off stump, nipping away with a bit of a bounce. Joe Root has a loose poke at it and gets a fat outside edge. The ball shoots low and between the first and second slip fielders. Both, Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub leave it for each other as the ball races through that narrow gap for a boundary. To be fair to the fielders, the ball went really low, but either of them should have at least attemped for the catch. Really lethargic from Pakistan.

Full and tailing in a wee bit on the pads. Root flicks it wide of mid-wicket and they hare back for the second run comfortably.

Another one that cuts into the batter off the seam, on a length, Jordan gets on the front foot, looks to push it away but gets a thick inside edge and the ball runs through short fine leg for a single. This brings up the 50-run partnership between Cox and Root.

Nip-backer on a length. Cox rocks back and taps it out to the off side.

Around off, on a length, Cox steers it off the back foot to backward point.

Drinks Break! Phew! An intense opening hour at Edgbaston. England could have been three down with Root gone, had Ali not overstepped. But he lives on and has brought a genuine calm in the middle. That has allowed Cox to grow in confidence at the other end as well. Pakistan's attack seems to have brittled out a bit now and with no real pace to trouble the batters, these two are going along pretty well. Also, this is a rare occasion, as all four openers from both teams have been dismissed for ducks in the same Test match. Well then, England need 79 runs to win and they would hope that this duo gets the job done without any hiccups.

Angles the ball in, on a length, Joe Root lets the ball come in, hangs back and blocks it carefully.

Bangs short and outside off, Jordan Cox hangs back and swats it to the right of mid on and they amble through for a run. Abbas gets across, and releases a flat throw to the bowling end, but Cox is home safely and comfortably.

A smidge fuller than a length, on off, Cox strides across and solidly blocks it to covers.

Outside off on a length, Cox attempts to flay that to point, but chops it off the inside edge and the ball dribbles behind.

Full and on the off stump, jagging back in, Root tries to drive it straight but, the ball catches the inside edge and rolls down to deep fine leg for a single. 50 up for England! They need 80 runs to win.

FOUR! Hot knife through butter! Classic Joe Root and to make matters worse, Ali has once again overstepped. His 18th No Ball in this series, informs Urooj Mumtaz on air. Offers plenty of width, outside off and full at a gentle pace. Joe Root reaches out and absolutely creams it through cover-point for a boundary.

Back of a length, nipping in and around the off stump. Root takes a step forward and solidly blocks it down the pitch.

Uses the wider angle, does Abbas, and slants the ball in on a fuller length. Cox camps back and strokes it down to mid on.

A bit too straight on the pads, Jordan flicks it across, but straight to the mid on fielder.

Around off, on a length, Cox hangs back and blocks it to the off side.

FOUR! In complete control. Short of a length. No pace or venom to cause any real trouble to the batter. Cox weighs on the back foot and cuts it square, finding the gap at backward point for a boundary. England keep marching towards win as they need 86 runs.

Spits up a bit, and nips in, on a good length. Cox is taken aback by the extra zip but manages to bunt it back to the bowler.

Slightly full and outside the off stump. Cox defends it to the off side with a big stride forward.

FOUR! Salt to the wounds! Fuller delivery and around off. Joe Root strides out, opens the bat face and drives it square and with sublime timing past point for a boundary.

Babar is back on the field and immediately rushes over to pat Ali on the shoulder.

DRAGGED ON! Oh... no! Pakistan's celebration has been cut short because Mohammad Ali has overstepped here. It is called a No Ball and this is a massive moment in this game. Ali lands this just back of a length and around off, nips back in a bit. Joe Root looks to cut it away but this is too close to his body. He gets a big inside edge as the ball crashes back onto the stumps. Root gets a second life, which is not good news for the visitors.

Hard length and on middle, jags back in, Jordan Cox clips it towards square leg for one.

Another piece of important information from Mark Butcher on air. He says that Masood is the stand-in captain for Pakistan right now, with Babar off the field.

On a length and on off, Jordan Cox steers it towards point.

Pitched up and around off, Joe Root takes a couple of steps across and drives it firmly through covers. Shan Masood chases after it and slides to push it back inside just in time. Three taken.

Appeal for LBW, but turned down! Touch fuller and on middle, angling in sharply. Joe Root looks to flick it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. The keeper, Ghazi Ghori, convinces his stand-in skipper Shan Masood to take the review. The replay confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows it is going past the leg stump. Pakistan lose a review.

Good length and on middle, Joe Root tucks it away towards short mid-wicket.

We don't like to be the bearers of bad news amid all this drama and tension, but the ground staff are hovering around the covers. Let's hope it does not rain. But there is a bit of drizzle predicted around Lunch, or midday, as mentioned by Mark Butcher ​​​​​​on air. Meanwhile, Razaullah, wearing a sweater, sits holding his injured finger. And now he walks back on the field.

Hits the deck hard, around off, shoots up off the deck. Jordan Cox gets a bit surprised by it but manages to stab it down the pitch safely. Maiden over!

Much fuller, on middle and off, Jordan Cox fends it away towards short cover.

Short of a length and on middle, angling in, Jordan Cox pats it down to the leg side.

Just back of a length and on off, straightens off the deck with some extra bounce. Jordan Cox tries to defend it from the crease but gets it from the outer half of the bat on the bounce to gully.

Fuller and on middle, shaping in, Jordan Cox gets forward and blocks it out solidly.

On a length and on off, Jordan Cox opens the bat face and steers it towards point.

Touch fuller and on off, shaping in, Joe Root is much more solid in his defense this time.

Good-length delivery, on off, nips back in a bit. Joe Root stays back to play at it but gets an inside edge onto the pitch. Ali has his hands on his head.

Just short of a length and on off, Joe Root dabs it down towards point.

Hard length and on off, Joe Root says back and keeps it out on the pitch.

Back of a length and on middle, Jordan Cox gets on top of the bounce and tucks in front of short mid-wicket. He sets off for the run but has to hurry in the end, with the fielder missing his shy at the bowler's end.

Fuller delivery, on middle, attacking the stumps. Jordan Cox gets half-forward and defends it away.

A strong wind is gusting across the ground, and the floodlights are on, with conditions turning fairly overcast out there. Also, a bowling change as Mohammad Ali replaces Razaullah.

Back of a length and around off, Joe Root opens the bat face and guides it towards backward point.

Lands this on a good length, on off, Joe Root stay back and blocks it out.

Pitched up, on middle and off, Joe Root looks to work it across the line but the ball holds up in the surface. It takes the leading edge and rolls down the pitch.

Goes full again, angling into the pads, Joe Root flicks it away nicely through square leg and comes back for the second run. England need 100 runs to win now!

Just short! Mohammad Abbas lands this back of a length and on off, holds its line. Joe Root has a poke at it but gets an outside edge. It flies towards first slip but drops just in front of Abdullah Shafique, who dives to his right to get a hand on it.

Fuller in length, on middle, shaping in, Joe Root clips it off the inner half of the bat through square leg for a couple of runs.

England look to have weathered the early storm. Root's composure is starting to show out in the middle. Also, Razaullah is walking off the field, probably to get some treatment on his bleeding finger.

Short of a length and just outside off, Joe Root waits for it and cuts it through backward point for one.

Hits the deck hard, on middle, Joe Root gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

A little bit of a delay, as Razaullah has called for the physio. His middle finger on his right hand is bleeding. May have got a cut or something. It is getting strapped up now. Oh, okay, the replays show he lost his footing on the follow-through and grazed his fingers on the ground. Michael Atherton compares it to the sort of mishap Mark Wood or Steven Finn have often had before. The needful is done and Razaullah is looking good to continue.

Bangs in a bouncer at 140 kph, just outside off, Joe Root shoulders arms to it.

Good length, on middle, nips back in, Jordan Cox tucks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Back of a length and on off, Jordan Cox rides the bounce and punches it towards short cover.

Fuller and angling into the pads, Joe Root wristily flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fractionally full, on off, Cox gets on top of the ball and knocks it to the off side.

In-between length, on the pads, Joe steers it between square leg and short mid-wicket and they steal a quick single.

Beaten! Bowls from a wider angle, does Abbas. On a length, and nipping away, outside off, Root looks to defend off the back foot but the ball whistles past the outside edge.

Skiddy delivery on a good length, Root stands up on the toes, plays it late, as he usually does and eases it backward point.

Back of a length, nipping in a wee bit. Joe lets the ball come at him and dabs it to the point region.

A touch full and straight, on off, Joe Root presents full face of the bat and blocks it out.

FOUR! Flies just over the fielder! Outswinger on a fuller length, outside the off stump, plenty of width on offer. Cox gets on the front foot, and slices it off the outer portion of his bat. Gets enough elevation to hit it over the leaping backward point fielder, Azan Awais, for a boundary.

A bit too straight onto the pads, on a length. Root plays off the back foot and nudges it to long leg for a single.

Cannons it on a fuller length, bringing the stumps to play. Root strokes it back at the bowler off the front foot.

FOUR! A bit of a loosener! Short and wide, Root arches back, uses the pace and square cuts it over backward point for a boundary. England need 113 runs.

Hammers the length hard, swinging in at 140 kph. Root lets the ball arrive, drags the bat in front of his pads and blocks it firmly under his eyes. He is attempting to bring the pads to play, an evident vulnerability for Root of late.

Spears it far down leg, on a fuller length. Root whips the bat hard, but fails to connect. Ghori dives to his left and makes a good grab.

Tails in on a length, on the leg stump, Cox gets a bit across and tucks it to short mid-wicket. Root takes a few steps out to steal a run, but has to retreat back.

Nice and full, 123 kph, Cox leans on and defends it to the off side.

On a length, on top of off, slightly straightening up, Cox gets squared up and opens the bat face at the last second to steer the ball between gully and backward point for a brace.

Back of a length, at 125 kph, Cox rocks back and carefully blocks it into covers with soft hands.

Shortens the length and bowls outside the off stump. Cox lets it through. Ghori, who is standing up to the stumps, does well to grab it to his right.

Attacks the stumps, on a good length, Jordan prods forward and stabs it in front.

The landing area appears to need a bit of flattening, and Mohammad Abbas has taken matters into his own hands with the hammer. The body language of the Pakistan players suggests they are well and truly up for the challenge.

FOUR! Back of a length and angled outside off. Root rocks back, looking to slash the square cut, only for the ball to come off the inside edge. It slams the surface hard and balloons over the slip cordon and away for four. England need 119 runs to win!

Razaullah screams in an appeal for LBW, but that is missing the leg stump surely. Paul Reiffel shakes his head and the appeal wanes down instantly. On a length, on leg stump, Root looks to play across the line to access the leg side, but gets comprehensively beaten on the inside edge. The ball catches the flap of the front thigh pad.

Bashes the length hard, going down leg. Root misses the tickle and the ball zips behind into the gloves of Ghori.

Shaping away, full and around off, Root keeps it out to the covers.

FOUR! Off the edge! Not at all convincing. Full and swinging away, outside off, Root has a tentative poke at it to drive it away, but the ball takes the outside edge and rifles to the left of the diving gully fielder for a boundary.

Attacks the stumps, on a length with a little bit of an away shape. Cox looks to block that from crease, but gets an inside edge and the ball rolls to the square leg region for a single.

Both openers are gone in the first over. That brings Joe Root out to the middle. Razaullah will share the attack.

OUT! LBW! Picture perfect seam bowling and Pakistan keep believing. Abbas bowls it full from around the stumps and the ball nips in off the seam. Gay's bat comes down at an angle as he tries to push it straight, but the ball beats the inside edge and raps his front pad. A vociferous appeal for LBW, and Chris Gaffaney obliges. This looks stone dead but Gay, after having a word with Cox, goes for a review. Nothing on UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows three reds, as plumb as it can get. A bad, bad review from Emilio and a sensational opening over from Abbas. He has reduced England to 2/2 in the chase of 130 runs. The hosts are in absolute disarray.

On a length, around off, Gay gently taps it into the off side.

Back of a length, outside off, leaving the batter, Gay is happy to shoulder arms.

Beauty! In the channel, on a good length, straighten up, Gay looks to defend without moving his feet, plays inside the line and the ball zips past his outside edge.

First run off the bat! Full and around off, Cox leans forward and taps it in front of backward point and they dash through for a run. The fielder is quick to pick and throw towards the bowling end, but misses his shy, but forces Cox to stretch a bit extra to drag his bat in.

No Ball! Over the stumps, on a length, on off, nipping away. Cox leaves. Abbas has overstepped and England are underway in the chase.

Pakistan could not have asked for a better start. Jordan Cox walks out to bat at number 3. Also, the keeper is standing up to the stumps.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! What a start for Pakistan. Are we really going to see something insane happen at Edgbaston? Abbas is off for a sprint with arms aloft in delight. Starts from around the stumps, and lands it on a good length, getting the ball to just straighten up from the surface. Duckett, fresh off, has a lazy poke at it and gets a thin outside edge and the keeper Ghazi Ghori makes no mistake. Duckett's lean patch in this series continues and England are 0/1, needing 130 runs.

OUT! STUMPED! Pakistan are bowled out for 449, but every single person at Edgbaston is up on their feet, applauding an innings from a debutant that was as brave as it was entertaining. With the way he was going about butchering the ball in all parts of the ground, he deserved to get to three figures. Full and fired down outside off, Razaullah comes flying down the track looking to launch it back over the bowler's head, but the extra pace and the lower trajectory of the ball beats the bat, and Jordan Cox is lightning quick to whip the bails off with Razaullah off-balance and out of his crease by a mile. England have been set a total of 130 runs to chase.

Given out by Paul Reiffel, but luck favors Razaullah. Another shocking decision from the umpire. Full on middle and leg, turning back in, and Razaullah goes for the full-blooded sweep by moving well across, only to be beaten on the inside edge and struck on the front pad. Surely drifting down leg from where it looked. A massive appeal for LBW, and Paul Reiffel's finger goes up without hesitation. Razaullah starts walking off but eventually takes the review. No bat involved, UltraEdge confirms it. And sure enough, Ball Tracking shows that the ball is projected to be spinning down leg. The Pakistani faithful erupt in joy and relief.

There's an appeal for LBW, and up goes the umpire's finger. Razaullah starts walking back, but he soon realizes that he can review. Seemed to be sliding down at first glance, and that's what the third umpire finds when he checks Ball Tracking. Not Out!

At 91 kph, good length and outside off, gripping and climbing off the surface. Razaullah pushes tentatively at it, but the turn beats him on the inside edge, ballooning off the front pad into the leg side.

SIX! Oh, my word! That might be the biggest six of the day! Dan drops it into the slot, full on off, Razaullah skips down the track, leaves nothing in the tank and launches it handsomely behind deep mid-wicket for a massive six.

Full and straight, on off, Ali gets his front foot out of the way and strokes it to mid off.

Deceives him with a slower one, on off, on a length. Ali has his bat dangled loosely away from his body and is comprehensively beaten.

Shortish on off stump at 135 kph, Ali looks to pull across the line but gets a bottom edge that skews off his front pad to the left of forward short leg.

This one digs in and gets big on Ali as he steps away to the leg side, and swings at it. The ball beats him on the outside edge and through to Cox.

FOUR! No sighters needed! Good-length delivery, on middle and leg, Mohammad Ali backs away, creates room and heaves it over mid-wicket for a boundary to get off the mark.

Mohammad Ali is the last batter in for Pakistan.

OUT! CAUGHT! And at long last, England have a wicket. Good length outside off that nips back in. Abbas backs away and has a casual go, only to skew it uppishly toward backward point, where Atkinson dives low to his right and comes up with a smart catch. A highly entertaining 121-run partnership is broken and Pakistan are 439/9, leading by 119 runs. Abbas walks off with a huge round of applause from one and all at Edgbaston.

What happened there? Fullish outside off at 80 kph, turning back in. Abbas goes for the reverse sweep across the line but gets beaten on the inside edge, with the ball skewing off the front pad into the leg side, to the right of forward short leg, for a leg bye. Hang on, folks! England have sent this upstairs for LBW, a late call from Joe Root. UltraEdge shows no bat involved, but the ball has struck his arm guard instead. Ball Tracker has it pitching outside off, and impact outside off too. Abbas survives, stays not out.

Better, much better! Pushed through, around off, Razaullah takes a giant stride forward and taps it into covers for a single.

Dropped full and around off, turning in, Razaullah has a big mow across the line but it goes on the bounce to Root at square leg.

And again! Full, spinning in with a bit of bounce. Razaullah leans on, plays with low hands and blocks it under his bat.

Boring from Razaullah. He stretches forward and blocks the full ball with a straight bat.

Spins in from a length, outside off, Razaullah goes for the late cut, but gets beaten.

What are the odds of Razaullah being the first centurion of this Test series? Pretty high at this point. Still 15 minutes to go and three or four big hits could do it for him. Dan Lawrence is back on. Razaullah has his helmet off.

Short-pitched delivery around off, slanting it in. Abbas moves to the off side and ducks under it with ease.

Shorter in length, over off. Abbas hops to the leg side and stabs it down square through the off side for a couple of more handy runs.

A rare wild slog across the line from Abbas. Good length over middle and leg, angling in with some good carry. Abbas backs away and swings for the fences but misses.

A bouncer now, over middle stump, Abbas sits down under it.

Dug in shorter over middle, darted back in. Mohammad Abbas stays back and fends it to the off side.

Back of a length and around off, Razaullah hops back and nurdles it down past covers for a single.

With 20 minutes remaining in the day's play, Josh Tongue (20-1-99-1) is back on, replacing Jofra Archer.

A bumper to end with, dug in short and over leg stump. Abbas ducks under it wothout a fuss.

A full ball to switch things up, darted in at the pads. Razaullah misses the flick and the ball thuds off the pads towards gully for a leg bye.

Back of a length, angling down leg, Razaullah walks across and tries to swing it fine on the leg side but misses again. Surely, this can't be a deliberate line from Gus Atkinson, could it?

That's wayward from Gus. Slightly short but sprayed well down the leg side. Razaullah swings and misses.

Banged in short again, down leg, Razaullah gets inside the line to smoke it leg side but fails to connect.

Short ball, angling down leg. Razaullah has a think about taking it on, but then just ducks under it.

Digs it short, outside off, Abbas lets it through by dragging his bat inside the line of the ball.

Shortens the length further, outside off, Abbas dangles the bat away from his body and tries to flay that behind point, but the ball zips past his angled bat.

Good length, outside off, Abbas arches back and drops his wrists.

FOUR! Finds the gap perfectly! Full and on the off stump, Abbas lets his hands through the line of the ball and creams it through extra cover for a cracking boundary. The lead for Pakistan is now 113 runs!

Steep bumper, on off, Abbas awkwardly fends it to the gully region.

Short and down leg, Abbas lets it through.

SIX! WONDERFUL! Just wonderful ball-striking from Razaullah. He is not showing any signs of slowing down. Outside off on a good length, Razaullah stays leg side of the ball and literally slaps it over deep extra cover for his eighth six. He moves to 73 off just 48 balls.

Abbas moves far across the stumps to flick it to the leg side, but Gus spears in a full ball following the batter. Abbas swings and misses and the ball rolls off the pads to the leg side. They cross for a leg bye.

Slams it short, on the leg stump, Abbas swings for the hills, only to miss.

SIX! This brings up the 100-run partnership between Abbas and Razaullah. Probably the loudest cheer Pakistan have received in the last couple of weeks. On a length, on top of off, Abbas makes room by opening up his body and swats it powerfully over mid on for a six. Both the batters shake hands and are all smiles.

Sharp short ball from Gus, on the leg stump, Abbas pulls it away awkwardly towards mid-wicket, where the fielder dives to his right and makes a good stop.

On a length, attacking the stumps, Abbas hangs back and stabs it back at the bowler.

Joe Root has just gone off the field, not quite sure why. Meanwhile, it will be Gus Atkinson to continue with the ball.

FOUR! Up and over! Full and outside off, Razaullah gets under the ball nicely and pumps it over the mid off fielder for a cracking boundary.

SIX! This is just outrageous stuff from Razaullah. Archer has been taken to the cleaners. Good length, around the off stump. Razaullah clears the front leg away and absolutely carts it over cow corner for a massive six.

Full and outside off, Abbas chips it to the left of the mid off fielder. Root swoops across and dives to cut the ball off and keeps the batters down to a single.

Length ball, outside off, Abbas strokes it to the cover fielder.

Beats the edge! Good-length delivery, outside the off pole, staying a wee bit low and nipping in. Abbas dangles the bat away from his body to access the off side, but gets beaten on the inside edge.

Wide yorker, Abbas reaches out and digs it out to backward point.

Full and on the leg stump, Abbas flicks it to wide mid-wicket for a single.

Attacks the pads, on a length, Abbas tries to nudge it across but misses and is struck hard on the thigh pad.

Back of a length, angled at the pads. Abbas hangs back and steers it to the left of Robinson at deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Short ball over middle, doesn't rise much, but Abbas gets under it well.

Nicely played. A bit shorter and outside off, Mohammad Abbas presses onto the back foot and guides it away between the slip cordon and gully for a couple of runs.

Back of a length, in and around off, Abbas defends it to cover and Razaullah is on his bike at the non-striker's end. Abbas sends him back and rightly so.

Gus Atkinson is now brought back into the attack.

Play and a miss! Razaullah is admonishing himself. Outside off and full, Razaullah swings hard and wild at it, only for the ball to zoot away and beat his outside edge.

SIX MORE! That is ball-striking at its best. Jofra turns away in frustration and trudges back to his mark, not every day does a bowler of his class get tonked down the ground by a tailender. Pakistan's 400 comes up in the process. Full and on the stumps, right in the slot, Razaullah clears his front leg once again and swings for the heavens, connecting cleanly to send it sailing over the sightscreen for another maximum.

SIX! FIFTY ON DEBUT FOR RAZAULLAH! What a debut Test match this young lad is having. He has impressed with the ball, and is now putting on a real show with the bat. Good-length ball outside the off stump, nipping back in, Razaullah backs away and clears his front leg before hoisting that cleanly over long off for a huge six.

In the air... lands safely! Full and on the stumps, Razaullah launches it down the ground, but the bat twists at the point of contact. Luckily for him, the ball lands and just plugs in the vacant long off region. Two runs taken.

Beaten! Full, outside off stump, 133 kph, Razaullah clears his front leg and once again swings wildly across the line. He is beaten on the outside edge.

Hammers it on a good length, following the batter as Razaullah moves leg side to pull. He is cramped for space as the ball tails in a touch and beats the bat on its way to the keeper.

FOUR! Marvelous shot! Back of a length, around the off stump, Abbas stands tall, gets his front leg out of the way to create room, and absolutely crunches it over the bowler's head for a cracking boundary. Pakistan lead by 66 runs and this partnership is worth 68.

Good length, outside off, Abbas stays leg side of the ball and scythes it to backward point. Emilio Gay dives to his right and makes a fine stop there.

Full and straight, on middle, Abbas drives it to extra cover.

Straightens off the pitch, on a length, in the channel. Abbas plays inside the line to block as the ball zips past his outside edge.

Big swing, but no edge found! On a fuller length, outside off with a very sharp deviation and bounce. Abbas clears the front leg and swings across the line, but fails to connect.

Bowled full, on off. Abbas is rock-solid in his defence.

FOUR! It just keeps getting better and better for Razaullah. The lead for Pakistan swells to 62 runs now. Archer goes searching for a yorker, but slips in a low full toss. Razaullah drops the bat down in time and crunches it through cover and point for a boundary. A nod approval from Archer as well. Razaullah moves into his 40s.

A toe-crusher from Archer, on the leg stump, Abbas is late to bring his bat down and the ball deflects off his boot and rolls to backward square leg. They cross for a leg bye.

Angled down leg, on a fuller length. Abbas gets across to flick and misses.

On a fuller length, on the leg stump, Razaullah hammers it down to long on for a single.

Nips away a wee bit, on a length, outside off. Another wild swing and a miss from Razaullah.

Back of a length, outside off, Razaullah keeps swinging at it, but the ball stays low and passes below his angled bat.

England have been rattled by these two. And one can clearly spot the frustration on those faces. Jofra Archer is back on.

Good length around off, played from the crease and nudged down to point.

Excellent comeback by Robinson. Full-pitched delivery outside off, a genuine outswinger and Abbas plays well inside the line.

SIX! Mohammad Abbas has played smartly so far, but now he shows that he's got some firepower as well. Length ball on off, Abbas hangs back, makes room and thwacks it away over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Good length around the top of off, solidly blocked off by Abbas.

Hard length, seaming back into the batter. Razaullah gets taken aback a bit but gets an inside edge onto the body and the ball drops to the leg side. A quick single is pinched, and Pakistan now lead by 50 runs. A monumental effort in the second innings from them.

FOUR! No one was expecting that from Razaullah. Back of a length and just outside off, Razaullah plays a perfect backfoot punch and times it sweetly through the gap at covers for a boundary. The 50-run stand is also up between these two.

Eoin Morgan said on air that he was scratching his head as to why Lawrence was operating with the new ball, and he has now been taken off the attack. Ollie Robinson comes back on.

Full and outside off, Abbas gets low and squeezes it away towards gully.

Back of a length, in the channel, Abbas gets a bit squared up as he tries to fend it away and the ball zips past the outside edge.

FOUR! Streaky! A quick bumper, nearly cleans up Mohammad Abbas but he manages to swing at it and gets a top edge that flies over the slip cordon for a boundary. Pakistan now lead by 45 runs, with two wickets still in hand.

Length ball in the channel, well kept out by Abbas.

Razaullah finally makes contact with the ball, and gets away with a mishit as well. A skiddy short ball over middle, Razaullah backs away and top-edges the pull over mid on. Jofra Archer turns back and runs after it but the ball lands well out of reach. Single taken.

How has that missed the stumps? This would be frustrating for any bowler. Full of a good length, lands it on off and the ball just jags back in sharply. Razaullah backs away and tentatively tries to fend it away but misses and the ball goes agonizingly past the leg stump.

Another appeal, this time for a caught behind, but not given. Fullish length around off, turning in. Mohammad Abbas goes for the conventional sweep this time but the ball stays low and beats the underedge.

Flighted up on the pads, nudged away around the corner on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Full and at the stumps, Abbas brings out the reverse sweep again, dabbing it away towards gully.

Tossed up on off, Abbas blocks it off the front foot.

Excellent take from Joe Root and there's half an appeal for a catch, but the umpire says no. Floated up on leg, turning further in. Mohammad Abbas misses the tickle and the ball misses everything else as well. Root dives to his right at leg slip and pouches it brilliantly with the right hand.

FOUR! Wow, where's that come from? Tossed up, fuller on off. Mohammad Abbas brings out the reverse sweep and nails it past the backward point fielder for a boundary.

Drinks Break! Well, plenty of us had reckoned this game would be done and dusted by now, with England easing into a leisurely weekend. But they have been frustrated by a Pakistan tail that has wagged, and how! Razaullah is literally throwing his bat at everything here and has smoked four monstrous biggies while doing so. That has swelled Pakistan's lead to 34 runs. But with the second new ball now taken, England will be hoping to clean things up in a hurry from here. Maybe, do the old stuff more, by attacking the stumps often. Dan Lawrence continues after the break.

Make that five swings and misses in a row now. Bowled full again and outside off, Razaullah looks to hit straighter this time, but the ball again evades the bat.

Tongue stares into the abyss, it seems, unable to believe that the ball isn't hitting the stumps or taking an edge here. Full-pitched delivery around off, Razaullah looks to drag that to the leg side but misses.

This is just blind swinging now from Razaullah. Hard length, in and around off, Razaullah swings across the line but is nowhere near making a connection.

Just over the top of the stumps! Full again, slanted back in towards the stumps. Razaullah has a big swing at it but misses and the ball carries over the stumps.

Much better line from Tongue. Pitched fuller and just outside off, Razaullah clears the front leg to heave across the line but is beaten for pace.

Extra protection for Razaullah as he puts on the arm guard.

FOUR LEG BYES! Ill-directed by Tongue. Good length but drifted onto the pads, Razaullah misses the flick and the ball brushes the pad, before running away into the fine leg fence.

The fourth umpire rushes out to the middle and hands the new Dukes to Chris Gaffaney. ENGLAND HAVE TAKEN THE SECOND NEW BALL! Razaullah, meanwhile, has asked for an armguard. Josh Tongue gets the first bite at the red cherry.

Tossed up on off, Abbas defends it down the pitch.

Nice and full around middle, Razaullah leans on and defends it to cover. Mohammad Abbas calls him through for a quick single and Razaullah scampers through. Emilio Gay picks it up and throws it to the keeper, but he should have really thrown it at the bowler's end, where Razaullah loses his bat and falls over while making his ground. 350 UP FOR PAKISTAN! They now lead by 30 runs.

Flatter one, angled across the off stump. Razaullah hangs back and looks to drag it to the leg side but misses.

Quicker and shorter, darted down the leg side. Razaullah misses the tickle and Jordan Cox collects it sharply to his left.

Floated up on middle, trying to turn it back in, Razaullah blocks it down the pitch.

Bowled from around the wicket, slipping it down the leg side. Good take from the keeper.

The second new ball is now available for England. Honestly, who would have thought Pakistan would bat this far? This has been a remarkable cameo, especially from Razaullah. The fourth umpire had the new Dukes ready to go, but Root opts to stick with the older ball for now, bringing Dan Lawrence into the attack instead. He has bowled just a solitary over in which he dismissed Awais.

A low full toss from around the wicket. Abbas pushes it off the toe end and past the diving bowler, towards mid on. A bit of a mix-up between the batters, and eventually they don't go for the single.

Tongue goes back to the short stuff, digging it in over off stump. Mohammad Abbas takes a step to the off side and then ducks under it.

Full and just outside off, just shaping away from the off stump line. Abbas backs away to lace it through the off side but misses.

A bumper from around the wicket, targeting the body of the batter. Razaullah gets into an awkward position and just flicks it without looking, mistiming it to the left of fine leg for a single.

Root and Archer are having a chat with Tongue before they take their respective spots. There are four men patrolling the fence on the leg side.

Shorter and following the batter past the leg stump, but this is spilled way down the leg side. The ball beats the keeper and rolls down to fine leg for a bye.

Short-pitched delivery on off, seaming away late. Abbas ducks under it well.

SIX! That's gone way deep, and Razaullah brings up his fourth six of this innings, moving on to 30 off just 19 balls. Hard length around off, Razaullah again stays leg side of the ball and wallops it wide of long on for a biggie.

SIX! Razaullah is having fun out there. Full and straight, trying to slide one through to the stumps. Razaullah clears the front leg and tonks it away over long on for another maximum.

Atkinson goes back to bowling short, digging it in over middle. Razaullah lets it through.

SIX! Swung high and over the leg side. Good length at the stumps, Razaullah sets base deep in the crease, backs away and smokes it high over deep square leg, nearly into the hotel being constructed over there. Pakistan now lead by 15 runs.

Banged in short around off, Razaullah ducks under this one.

Hard length in and around off, Razaullah jabs it out to the left of the bowler.

The ball is being put to the gauge test again, and it passes the test. Just two more overs before England have the second new ball available to them.

FOUR! Wowza! This is entertaining stuff. Pitched full, an off-cutter on off, Mohammad Abbas creates room, and hammers it over mid on for a boundary. Pakistan lead by 9 runs!

Fuller one, on the leg stump, drilled down to mid on.

Short of a good length, on top of middle and leg. Razaullah pulls it hard, leaving nothing in the tank, but only to miscue it off the toe end towards a crowded leg side. One run taken.

Attempted yorker, Razaullah clears the front leg away and drags it towards mid on.

Digs in a sharp bumper, on leg, Razaullah ducks under it in the nick of time.

Whoa! He tried to smoke that out of Edgbaston. Shortish delivery, over middle, Razaullah swings like a rusty gate to pull it across, but misses out.

Leg cutter now, full and wide outside off, Abbas crouches a bit and drags it across to the mid-wicket region.

Back of a length, on middle, nipping in. Abbas gets on his toes and awkwardly tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Hammers it short on the leg stump, Abbas dodges the bullet.

Slides it far down leg, on a length. Abbas misses to nudge it across and Cox once again takes a diving grab, low to his left.

Attacks the stumps, full in length, Abbas presents straight bat face to block it into covers.

On the stumps, full at 138 kph, Abbas flicks it to square leg.

Shoots in a short ball, going down the leg side. No interest from Razaullah on this one.

Deceptive slower bouncer, on top of the stumps, nipping in. Razaullah swings his blade in January but the ball arrives in December and beats him up comprehesively.

Shortish delivery around off, Razaullah ducks underneath that once more.

Wayward bumper, way down leg, Razaullah ducks under it. Cox flings to his left to pluck it in his gloves.

SIX! He has literally picked the bones out of it and has ensured England come out to bat again. Short ball from Tongue, angled on the leg stump. Razaullah swings with all his might and manages to get a good piece of wood on it as he pulls it into the stands behind deep square leg. Pakistan lead by 4 runs! That's a mighty blow from Razaullah.

A short ball that refuses to rise, going down the leg stump. Razaullah sits underneath it. Cox with another banger of a grab to his left.

Josh Tongue is brought back in to clean up the tail. Let's see if Pakistan can force England to bat again or not.

Tries to spear in a yorker, but Abbas does well to jam the bat down, takes it on the full and carves it out.

On a back of a length, around off, Abbas taps it off the back foot to covers.

The next batter is Mohammad Abbas.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Another brilliant catch from Cox and Atkinson gets his third wicket. Carbon copy Ghori's wicket, this one. Nips in from a good length, on top of middle. Mohammad Imran is pinned in the crease, getting completely cramped for space. His bat comes down at an angle as he looks to block from the crease but ekes a thin inside edge back to the keeper. Jordan Cox stretches on his dive to his left and gobbles up a fine catch. It is falling apart quickly now for Pakistan. They are 318/8, trailing by 2 runs.

Short but down leg, ducked under. Cox collects it by moving a bit to his left.

Speared onto the stumps, 136 kph, on middle, Imran strokes the full ball to mid-wicket off the inner half. Razaullah looks to pinch in a single, but gets sent back in time.

Nearly a yorker, on middle and leg. Razaullah swings his bat hard and shovels it out to the mid on region for a single.

Another one that is slammed hard into the surface, around off and on a good length. Mohammad Imran arches back, drops his wrists and gets out of the line of the projectile shot at him.

Short of a good length, on off, Imran dodges.

Oh, he is throwing his bat at it and Archer gives Imran a steely stare. It's called a No Ball as Jofra has overstepped. Banged into the pitch, arriving above shoulder height, on off. Imran swings wildly at it to pull across the line, but gets beaten by the pace and bounce.

Hard length, on top of middle with extra bit of zip and lift. Imran fences it off the back foot into covers.

Slightly short and outside off, Mohammad Imran drops his wrists and sways away from the firing line. The ball does not rise much but he manages to leave it.

Far down leg, too straight on a length. Imran misses to glance it around the corner.

Sharp bumper, on middle and leg, Imran ducks under it.

Responds with a steamy bumper, does Gus. He follows the batter who moves leg side, but Razaullah does well to duck under it to leave it.

FOUR! Well, that's another way to get off the mark! Back of a length, around off, Razaullah walks forward and seemingly looks to heave it over the leg side, but the ball gets sliced and shanked over and wide of mid off for a boundary. Pakistan trail by 4 runs now.

Razaullah walks out to bat now, and Pakistan still haven't managed to see off and innings defeat here.

OUT! EDGED AND CAUGHT BEHIND! Atkinson has his second wicket as the last recognised batter for Pakistan departs. He bashes the length hard and it nips in off the seam, on top of off and middle. It cuts Ghazi into half as he looks to block off the back foot. But leaves a yawning gap between bat and pad and the ball grazes the inside edge to shoot low in front of the keeper. Jordan Cox with another brilliant catch as he dives forward, a bit to his left, and scoops it cleanly. The tourists are 312/7, trailing by 8 runs.

Jags back, on a length, on leg. Imran steers it past square leg for a run.

Full-ish, on the pads, clipped across to mid-wicket.

1 run, the batter has just watchfully blocked this out for a run.

A well-directed bumper, over middle and leg. Imran backs away and swings wildly across the line, getting beaten for pace and bounce.

Good carry off the deck. Archer peppers the hard length, keeping the line in and around off stump. Imran hangs back and has a late push at it but gets well beaten.

Another short ball, over middle, Imran squats down and leaves it alone. That wasn't all that high either.

Archer is back over the wicket and bowls a quick bumper on off. Imran leans back to let it through to the keeper.

Past the outside edge. Length ball, slanted across from middle to off. Imran hangs back and has a poke at it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

A bumper from around the wicket, trying to attack the batter's body. Mohammad Imran does well to duck under it.

40 overs left in the day. 9 overs for the second new ball to be available for England.

On the pads, clipped away behind square leg for a single.

Banged in well short over the stumps, Imran ducks under the ball.

No harm done in the end. Atkinson goes a bit wider on the crease, pushing it fuller and into the pads. Ghazi Ghori shuffles to the off side, looking to flick but misses. The ball brushes the side of the pad and rolls behind square. There is an appeal for LBW, which is turned down and the batters scamper for the leg bye. The square leg fielder underarms the throw at the stumps at the keeper's end and there is a run-out check as well. The run-out is fine as Imran's bat is grounded and there's no review for the LBW decision.

All happening out there. First an LBW appeal turned down by the umpire, which indeed looked closer than the previous one. And then a run out chance at the batting end. The decision is sent upstairs for an umpire's review. The side-on replay shows that Imran is home before the stumps are broken.

Good review from Ghazi Ghori, and he knew it straightaway. Ooh, an appeal for LBW, and it's been given, but it looked a tad high. Ghori does review it right away, though. Good length from Gus Atkinson, pitching it on off and getting the ball to nip back in. Ghazi Ghori tentatively looks to keep it out from the crease. The ball beats the inside edge and gets hit on the pads. UltraEdge, however, shows that there is a big inside edge on it. The on-field decision is overturned. Not Out.

That's nearly cut Ghori in half. Hammered in back of a length, the ball pitches and jags back in sharply, catching Ghori off guard, and he gets hit on the thigh pad.

Very full and spilled down the leg side, Ghori moves past the off stump, looking to flick it fine but misses.

A sharp bumper at 135 clicks, darts back in from middle. Imran sees it well and squats under it. End of a successful over from Archer.

Pitched much fuller and on leg stump, Imran gets halfway forward and keeps it out.

Banged in sort over off, Mohammad Imran does well to duck under it.

Back of a length, in and around off, dabbed away past the slip cordon for a couple of runs by Imran.

Massive blow for Pakistan. That was a hostile bumper from Archer. With Shakeel gone, this could end rather quickly now. Mohammad Imran is in at number 8.

OUT! CAUGHT! Finally, some success for Jofra Archer and he's more relieved than happy. Archer bangs it in short but keeps the seam upright. The ball lands around off, and jags back in with some sharp bounce. Saud Shakeel, who had been ducking really well, gets pegged back and takes his eyes off the ball, jabbing his bat in front of his face. The ball catches the gloves and then hits the helmet lobbing up. Emilio Gay at forward short leg moves to his right and takes an easy catch. Pakistan still trail by 14 runs, and are now 6 down for 306.

Good length in the channel, nips away off the deck and squares up the batter. Shakeel ends up playing inside the line.

That's a good delivery. A bumper over middle, coming in at around head height and Ghori ducks a bit, letting it sail through to the keeper.

FOUR! Streaky, but fairly well played as well. Back of a length, seaming away from the fifth stump line. Ghazi Ghori presses back and plays it late, edging it to the left of gully for four runs.

Too straight. Banged in halfway down the pitch but darted down the leg side. Jordan Cox leaps to his left to collect it.

Good length around off, played off the front foot and with soft hands, wide to the right of point. Ghori looks for the single, which is on, but Shakeel sends him back.

Fuller and wider of the off stump, shaping away. Left alone by Ghori.

Full of a good length, on off and angling in. Ghori gets across and defends it down the pitch.

There are as many as 43 overs remaining in the day's play. Gus Atkinson (15-1-62-1) will share the attack.

A proper bumper from around the wicket. This is dug in just outside the line of off stump and Shakeel ducks under it.

Back of a length, Ghori hops up and tucks it off the hips past short leg, and towards mid-wicket for a quick single. Pakistan now trail by just 18 runs.

Another short ball, this time over the off stump line, Ghori leaves it alone.

FOUR! Up and over, and the 300 is up for Pakistan. Attempted bumper at the bodyline, Ghazi Ghori rides the bounce well, swivels and pulls it flat over the backward square leg fielder for a boundary.

Back of a length, slanted down the leg side. Ghori moves inside the line and lets it through.

A short ball to begin with. Banged in over leg stump and darts down the leg side. Ghazi Ghori takes evasive action by ducking under it.

Howdy again, folks! It's time for the third and final session to get underway at Edgbaston. Also, FYI, with 98 overs to be bowled today, play can be extended by 30 extra minutes if we don't get all overs in. Of course, weather permitting. England know that they are one breakthrough away from exposing a long-ish Pakistan tail. Pakistan's rearguard depends on Shakeel and Ghori, who walk to the crease to resume their partnership. Jofra Archer is ready to steam in with the ball. A crowded leg side with expected short stuff coming in. Off we go again...

... Day 3, Evening Session ...

Plan B that finally clicked - England found themselves blunted for a spell, with the likes of Jofra Archer hunting swing and seam rather than trying to blast through Pakistan's batters with raw pace. As the Babar-Shakeel stand grew, England turned to the short ball to manufacture something, and the ploy very nearly paid off against Babar a couple of times before it eventually did. His old vulnerability was exposed once more, and the door has been left ajar for England. Pakistan look highly likely to lose this Test, but they do look set to at least achieve the smaller victory of forcing England to bat again. It all depends on how Shakeel and Ghori resist in the final session. Play is expected to resume at 3.30 pm GMT. Though there could be a 3-4 minute delay. Join us then.

Spanner in the works - The pitch appeared to have flattened out, making batting a shade easier, which frustrated England a fair bit. And this has been Pakistan's best showing with the bat by some distance in this series. They breached 200 for the first time in this tour and finally strung together their first century stand to stay afloat. Babar and Masood carried on with the vigil, playing watchfully while chipping into the deficit. Babar looked a man on a mission with his timing, while Masood found his best form of the series after a run of low scores. Overcast skies kept the ball doing plenty, though, swinging away for both Robinson and Atkinson, and it was the latter who eventually broke the stand, fishing Masood out for 95.

3.15 pm GMT - England edge ahead in the afternoon - This has just been a proper day of Test cricket today on a good pitch. But that was a bit of reckless batting by Pakistan in the last half an hour or so. However, despite losing two wickets in the very first over, Pakistan have made a really good comeback, shrinking the deficit down to 23 runs with the help of a two or three really useful partnerships.

That will be that, and it's Tea on Day 3. Full of a length, just outside off, nibbling away late. Shakeel makes a watchful leave.

Pitched fuller and just outside off, a hint of movement back in. Shakeel makes a late leave.

Good-length delivery on off, Shakeel gets forward and covers the line, but gets a bit squared up and dabs it down to point.

Shakeel has a chat with Paul Reiffel. Seems to be an issue with the movement right in front of the sight screen. There's a gentleman in a red jacket at the center of it all, seemingly the source of the disturbance behind the bowler's arm. Several England players, Tongue and Root among them, gather in as the issue gets sorted out.

Similar line and length, a smidge fuller perhaps. Shakeel watches it well and lets it through to the keeper.

Pitched fuller and outside off, nibbling away. Shakeel thinks about getting forward and driving at it, but then just leaves it alone.

Back of a length and outside off, punched away through covers for one.

With only two minutes left in this extended session, this is the last over before Tea. Ollie Robinson will wrap it up. Can he produce a wicket?

And again! Another bumper, this one is darted back in from off stump. Shakeel squats under it.

A sharp bouncer around off, Shakeel ducks under it.

Banged in well short and over the stumps, Shakeel ducks and lets the ball pass.

A complete miscue, but Saud Shakeel gets away with it, and Jofra Archer has a disappointed look on his face. Short and over middle, Shakeel goes for the pull, timing it badly and uppishly but well wide of short leg and well to the left of the fielder at deepish mid-wicket. Shakeel picks up two runs as well.

Dug in a bit shorter and on leg, Ghori gets inside the line and angles the pull down to fine leg for one more.

Back of a length, in the channel, Shakeel gets on his toes and eases it wide of point for a single.

The big inswinger now from Ollie. Bowled fuller and on off, angling back in. Ghazi Ghori gets forward and pushes it to mid on.

Back of a length, seaming away from the off stump. Ghori waits back and taps it to the on side.

Good lngth again, angled in from around off, Ghori taps it back onto the deck.

FOUR BYES! That's wayward from Robinson. Hard length, slanted well down leg. Jordan Cox is unable to collect it cleanly and the ball rolls away into the fine leg fence.

A bit fuller than the last ball, tighter around off as well. Ghori hangs back and blocks it off.

Good length, wide of the off stump, seaming away. Ghori plays it late and dabs it down through the short third region for another brace. Pakistan trail by 32 more runs.

Pakistan's batters look genuinely rattled out there. With barely ten minutes left in the session, playing a rash shot like the one Saud just played is exactly the kind of risk that could have been parked for another time. Ollie Robinson is called back into the attack and he replaces Josh Tongue.

Short and around chest height, Shakeel backs away and looks to pull, but ends up forcing the lofted shot over the mid off region for a couple of runs. Strange shot from Shakeel, and that could have gone anywhere.

Back to ducking. Another bumper, over off stump, Shakeel lets it through to the keeper.

Short leg had come up and Shakeel nearly played into the trap. England are definitely making things happen with the short-ball plan.

FOUR! The fielding change was made to encourage Shakeel to take on the short ball, and he does just that. Dug in short and around off, Shakeel swivels around and flat-bats the pull over a leaping Joe Root in front of square leg and picks up a boundary.

Shakeel keeps opting to duck under the bouncers. This is bowled over off and middle, at a brisk pace and Shakeel lets it through without a fuss.

A well-directed short ball, over middle, straightens late as well and Shakeel ducks under it.

Back of a length on off, a bit of inward movement as well. Ghori fends it in front of point for a quick single.

Short and over middle, this one zips through and bounces as expected. Shakeel squats under this one as well.

Banged in shorter around leg, doesn't rise all that much and Shakeel ducks under it well.

Edged away! Much fuller this time and around off. Ghazi Ghori tries to cover the line and drive but gets an outside edge down to deep third for a single.

It was coming. Something was brewing as Babar looked increasingly vulnerable against the short-ball tactic unleashed by England. And his wait for a first Test century since 2022 goes on, at least for now. Ghazi Ghori is in at number 7.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Babar Azam was looking scratchy in the last two or so overs and has thrown his wicket away here. Josh Tongue bowls another short-pitched delivery, angling it down leg. Azam is early to back away and then tries to move out of the way, eventually glancing it behind. Jordan Cox springs to his left and takes an excellent diving catch. Pakistan lose their fifth wicket, and they still trail by 42 runs, leaving the door ajar for the English bowlers.

Banged in short and outside off, Azam leans back and sways away from the line of the ball.

Shortish length, angled into the hips. Azam hops to the off side and tucks it in front of square leg.

A lovely delivery to end the over. Length ball, shaping away from the fourth stump line. Shakeel plays and misses.

A sharp bumper over middle, Shakeel ducks under it well.

Oh, Babar is being sucked into the trap here, but again, he gets away with it. Banged in halfway down the pitch, around off. Azam makes room and looks to clobber it but miscues it badly over Emilio Gay at mid on for just a single.

SIX! The substitute fielder nearly pulls off a stunner. A quick, short-pitched delivery from Archer. Babar Azam backs away and goes after it, skewing it towards deep third. Theo Wylie moves back and leaps up to take the catch and then lobs it back in. He gets caught on the ropes while trying to get back in and pouch it and can't get to it. However, replays show that his leg had already touched the ropes before he flicked the ball back up.

FOUR! Azam takes on the pull, and nails it away. Short of a length, swung away off the hips and shovelled behind deep square leg for a boundary. Pakistan now trail by less than 50 runs, 49 to be exact.

Good length just outside off, Azam backs away but then just lets it through as he doesn't get the right length to cut.

Back of a length, slanted across off. Shakeel gets up on his toes and keeps it down on the off side.

Short again, just down the leg side. Shakeel ducks under it with relative ease.

Good take from the keeper. Another bouncer, this time over leg and Shakeel ducks under it. The ball then moves late, and Jordan Cox does well to scamper to his right and collect it with an outstretched right hand.

Not a million miles away from the close-in fielder. Short ball over middle, Babar Azam tries to pull it down but doesn't keep it completely down, hitting it to the right of a diving Joe Root at shortish square leg and goes behind for a single.

A rib-tickler from Tongue, Azam tries to move out of the way but is late and the ball goes off his jumper and rolls down to fine leg.

A bumper over middle and leg, Babar Azam ducks under it with ease.

A harmless delivery on a length, outside off. Shakeel ignores.

Pulls the length back, on top of off, Saud Shakeel rocks back and tucks it to mid on.

Spears it full and on middle, Saud pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Good length, outside off, Saud rides the bounce and taps it to the point region.

Around middle and leg, on a length, Saud gets across and opens the bat face at an angle to keep it out to cover.

Full outside off, 136 kph. Shakeel leans across and drives it past Robinson at cover, who looks a bit stiff to bend low and the ball rolls to the deep. It is mopped up by the deep point fielder to his left. Two runs taken.

Back of a length, outside off, Babar looks to play at it, but withdraws the bat inside the line to leave.

FOUR! Absolutely hammered! Enough width on offer, short and outside off. Babar waits back for the ball to arrive and nails the square cut through backward point for a blazing boundary. Tongue hasn't been consistent with his lines and lengths at all. That also brings up the 50-run partnership between Babar and Shakeel.

Down the leg stump, on a length, Saud comfortably wrists it to deep backward square leg for a single. Pakistan trail by 60 runs!

Full on middle and leg, Shakeel plants the front leg across and flicks it to mid on.

Short of a length, outside off, Saud hangs back and punches it between cover and point for a couple of runs.

Slanted across the left-hander, on a length, Saud plays far away from his body, tries to flay that through point, only to get beaten on the outside edge.

Down leg, short in length, Babar is beaten on the flick and Cox does well to dive and grab it to his left.

Outside off, on a length 138 kph, Babar lets it through.

Back of a length, angled in, Babar tucks this to widish deep square leg and ambles back for the second.

FOUR! Off the edge and Archer can't hide his frustration. Seams away from a good length, outside off, Babar Azam is squared up. Looks to defend it late but gets a massive outside edge and the ball races through gully and slip cordon for a boundary.

Too full, outside off, Babar presents full face of the bat and drives it to short cover.

Around the stump. Short of a good length, on middle, Saud steers it off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

Time for a quick burst from Jofra Archer.

Too straight down leg, Babar tries to nudge the short ball across but misses connecting. The ball almost brushes his ribs before flying back to Cox.

Shoots low, on a length, outside off, Babar hops on the toes and stabs it to the point region.

Full on off, Babar Azam works it to mid off.

Edged, but it goes to the ground! Slightly full and skidding low, moving a fair bit away. Babar gets on the front foot, but does not put all his energy into blocking. Plays with soft hands, gets a fat outside edge but the ball rolls to Duckett at first slip.

250 is up for Pakistan! Slanted onto the pads, full in length. Beautifully flicked by Babar to the left of mid-wicket. The fielder dives and makes a half-stop, parrying the ball behind. The man from mid on chases it down. Two runs taken. Pakistan trail by 70 runs!

Hits the deck hard by angling the ball into the batter. Babar prods forward and punches it away to extra cover.

Joe Root hands the ball to the umpire and wants it changed. The ball nearly fails the gauge test and Root pleads with the umpire, who tosses Root the original ball and tells him to get on with it.

Full and straight, on off, Saud leans on and blocks it out.

On a drivable length, full, shaping in and around off, Saud strokes it down to mid on.

Oh, that spat low! On a length, on middle, Babar Azam does extremely well by getting his bat down in time and steers it off the bottom end to deep square leg for a single.

Nagging length, on top of off, Babar stays put, plays right under his eyeline and dabs it late to gully.

Shapes away, full and outside off. Crisply driven off the front foot by Babar, but straight to Robinson at extra cover.

Slams it hard into the pitch, on the leg stump. Shakeel tries to flick it across but the ball swings in to beat the inside edge and it rolls through square leg for a leg bye.

A little bit of an inward shape, full around off, Saud Shakeel perhaps looks to drive it straight, but ends up squirting it off the inside half of his bat. The ball rolls towards Archer at deep mid-wicket. One run taken. A very expensive over as 11 runs come from it.

On a back of a length, outside off, Babar gets on top of the ball and square drives it to deep point for a single. Pakistan trail by 75 runs!

Full again, angling in, Saud clips it off the inner half of his bat to square leg for a single.

Full around off, Shakeel pushes it back at the bowler.

Back of a length, nipping down leg. Saud Shakeel misses the tickle off the back foot, and the ball deflects off his thigh pad before racing to deep fine leg fence.

FOUR! Chipped into the gap! Full and outside off, Saud Shakeel is a bit early into the shot, loses the grip of his bottom hand, but somehow, manages to air it wide of extra cover for a boundary. Not in complete control there.

FIFTY FOR BABAR AZAM! He looks at the heavens with a sigh of relief as he gets to his 34th Test half-century. And this is his 7th fifty in the longest format against England ​​​​​​as well. Back of a length, outside off, Babar steers that through cover-point and scampers back for the second run. He has looked like a man on a mission from the first ball he faced today.

Short of a length, angled in at the ribs. Babar plays off the back foot and steers it to square leg.

Shapes away ever so slightly, on off, Babar watchfully defends.

Full and around off, driven off the front foot to mid off.

Curving ball, on a length. But it is far outside off and Babar is happy to leave.

Outside off, on a length, swinging away a bit. Babar dabs it down to gully with soft hands.

Drinks Break! For the first time in this entire series, the English bowlers have had to work hard for wickets. First, the Awais-Masood stand frustrated them, and then Babar joined hands with Shan to eat into the deficit. But England have managed to send Masood packing with Atkinson breaking that 89-run partnership. Babar, who hasn't scored a single Test century since 2022, is batting very fluently out there and will look to bat through the day. He might as well be the first batter in the series to score a century if he does so. The English bowlers, to their credit, have got the ball to move around a fair bit in the last few overs and will look to chip one or two more to find Pakistan exposed with a long and inexperienced tail. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be aiming to form another resilient partnership through Babar and Shakeel.

Good length on off, shaping back in. Shakeel gets across to cover the line and nudges it away to mid-wicket.

Length ball, pushed into the batter's pads. Shakeel gets his hands out in front and keeps it out.

FOUR! That's an eye-catching shot. Full-pitched delivery just outside off, Shakeel leans on and creams the drive to the right of the cover fielder and picks up his first boundary of this innings.

Length again, around off again, confidently blocked off the front foot by Shakeel.

That's gone past the outside edge. A bit fuller from Tongue, just outside off, jags back in a bit. Shakeel puts out a front-foot defense but is beaten and the ball dies on its way to the keeper.

On a length, in and around off, watchfully blocked to point by Shakeel.

Robinson has been given a breather as Josh Tongue (0/60 in 9 overs) is brought back on. Around the wicket, with two slips and a gully.

Length ball outside off, left alone by Azam. Pakistan are 229/4, trailing by 91 runs now.

FOUR! Good adjustment in the end from Babar. Hard length over the top of off, Azam is caught in two minds and looks to leave pretty late, before just dabbing it with soft hands and through the slip cordon for a boundary.

Good-length delivery outside off, a bit more oomph on it and this one shapes away with some extra bounce. Azam leaves it alone.

Full and outside off, driven with the swing and towards deep cover for a couple of easy runs. Babar moves on to 44 now.

Short of a good length around off, tapped down through the point region for a single.

Hard length, darted in towards the pads. Azam gets on his toes, looking to tuck it away, but misses. The ball goes off the thigh pad to leg gully for a leg bye.

Full on off and middle, shaping away, but at a gentle pace. Shakeel lunges to defend. A maiden over from Ollie Robinson.

Nice and full, pushed back in from outside off. Shakeel gets a stride across and smothers it away.

Pitched fuller, but a tad wider of the off stump, swinging away. Shakeel leaves it alone.

Robinson comes around the wicket and bowls a jaffa. Landed on a length, around the fourth stump line and the ball seams away sharply. Shakeel has a feel for it but is beaten past the outside off. A touch fuller, and Shakeel would have nicked it.

Length ball, pitched up on off, looking to shape it back in. Shakeel gets on the front foot and blocks it out.

Fullish length, swinging it away from off stump, and this one moves quite a fair bit. Cox manages to make a half-stop with the gloves.

FOUR! Too full again and Babar puts this one away. On off and middle, shaping in, Babar Azam punches it straight back, to the right of the stumps at the other end and the ball rolls away into the fence. Pakistan trail by 99 runs!

Crunched straight to the fielder! Full-pitched delivery around off, Babar Azam plants the front leg forward and nails the drive to the extra cover fielder.

Soft hands from Shakeel, and Archer does extremely well in the deep. Fuller in length and outside off, Shakeel leans on and strokes it behind point. Archer at deep point runs to his right and puts in a late dive to save the boundary. Three taken.

Shorter in length, sliding it into the midriff. Saud Shakeel gets on his toes to defend.

Masood is absolutely gutted. He deserved that hundred after playing so well. Lawrence has been involved in both wickets that have fallen today. But Atkinson equally deserves the credit for bowling really well in this spell. England will feel they have an opening. Saud Shakeel walks in at number 6.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Shan Masood has to walk back, agonizingly so, and we still don't have an individual ton in this series. Gus Atkinson finds the right length, bowling it a few inches shorter of a good length and in that corridor of uncertainty. Masood presses back and has a tentative poke at it, and edges it down wide of second slip. Dan Lawrence, who is standing at fourth slip, dives low to his right and snaffles it with the right hand, plucking it inches off the ground. Pakistan are now 214/4, still trailing by 106 runs.

Lawrence with a stunner at fourth slip. Masood stands there in disbelief, but the on-field umpires send it upstairs for a review. And the replay shows it's a clean catch. No worries there.

Masood nearly edges it behind! Atkinson goes full, pitching it just outside off, and it is the wobble seam delivery that shapes away from the left-hander. Shan Masood is sucked into the drive and the ball breezes past the outside edge.

Back of a length on off, going straight on. Azam covers the line and blocks it off.

Ooh, that's a loose shot from Babar. Good length, pushed wider of the off stump, getting it to nibble away. Azam throws his hands at it and is beaten past the outside edge. Good take from Jordan Cox behind the stumps.

Pitched up on the fifth stump line, and this one zips through. Azam shoulders arms at it.

The indrifter now, on leg stump. Masood misses the tuck and the ball goes of the thigh pad to long leg for a leg bye.

The outswinger from Ollie, getting it to move from leg to off. Masood stays back to block it off.

Pitched up on middle and leg, Masood leans on to defend.

8 overs into the second session, Pakistan have added 29 runs. But more importantly, they have not lost any wickets. They trail by 107 runs. Robinson to continue. Short mid-wicket and a short square leg in place. Cox is standing up the to the wickets.

Good length around the top of off, patted down in front of covers.

FOUR! In the gap! Shorter and well outside off, Azam stands tall and steers it away, wide to the right of Dan Lawrence at gully and picks up a boundary. Azam wasn't entirely in control there.

Shaping away from the fourth stump line, Masood waits well before gliding it away through gully for a single.

Length again, on off, sliding it back in. Masood gets well forward and defends it off.

Good length, in and around off, blocked off the front foot by Masood.

A very full ball outside off, shapes back in late. Shan Masood sets up for the square drive but jams it off the inside edge and down to fine leg for a couple of runs.

Oh, a massive inswinger from Robinson, on a good length, Babar Azam gets across and nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Full and outside off, Babar gets on the front foot and defends it to cover-point.

Good length, outside off, Babar lets it through.

Attacks the pads and then gets the ball to shape away, Babar flicks it across to short mid-wicket. Ollie has his hands on his head as that came off the inner half of the bat and could have easily sneaked past the bat and trap him in front.

Length ball, on leg, this is gently tucked through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Off the edge and through the gap! Lucky there, and Masood moves into the 90s. On a back of a length, swinging in a touch, on off. Masood brings the bat down at an angle to defend, but gets a massive outside edge. And luckily for him, the ball rifles right between first slip and gully, perfectly bisecting them, for a boundary.

Angling in and then swinging away, on a length, Babar leans to defend it off the front foot. First maiden over for Atkinson.

Kicks up from the deck, short and outside off, Babar hangs his bat in the air to leave.

Drags the length back by a yard or so, on top of off, Babar smothers it down.

Beaten! Lovely tempter by Atkinson. Full and wide outside off, Babar Azam decides to go after this one and tries to drive it away from his body, but the ball keeps leaving him and zips past the outside edge by a kitten whisker. A bit loose from Babar.

Swings away outside off, on a length. Babar leaves it again.

Hammers it on a good length, outside the off stump. Babar is happy to leave it alone.

Length-delivery, seemingly pitching outside leg, Shan Masood is pinned in the crease as he looks to tuck it around the corner, but misses and is struck high on the thigh pad.

Nips away and spits up a bit, on a length, outside off, Shan is taken aback but he manages to fend it down.

Back of a length, on top of off and middle, Babar hangs back and nudges it behind square leg for a single.

Keeps bowling in the channel, full in length, Babar lunges and crisply defends. Third No Ball of the innings, as Robinson has overstepped. A bit of a cheer from the crowd as for the first time in this series, Pakistan get to 200! The deficit is now 120 runs for them.

Lovely delivery! Shade full and outside the off stump, Babar is drawn forward to block but plays inside the line and is beaten on the outside edge.

Shapes in on a length, around off. Babar hangs back and chops it to the right of the keeper. Cox collects it on the bounce.

Tails in a touch, full on middle, Babar forces the front foot drive towards mid off.

Overpitched, on off, Azam carves it to deep cover-point for a single.

Tempter! Outswinger, on a length, outside off, Babar just resists the temptation of poking at it by dragging the bat inside the line to leave.

Hits the deck hard from around the stump. Masood camps back and knocks it into covers for a quick single.

Hasty single! Babar tucks this length ball to the right of mid-wicket and dashes off for a single. The fielder picks and throws in a motion to the bowling end, but it is nowhere near the stumps and rolls to the off side.

Back of a length, outside off and swinging in late. Azam sees it through.

Aims the stumps at 141 kph, Babar Azam stretches ahead and blocks it confidently.

Length ball on off, Masood defends it down carefully.

Nips in from off to middle, full in length, Masood forces it to short mid-wicket.

Full and around off, on a drivable length. Babar gets on the front foot and creams it through widish mid off. Theo Wylie gives a good chase and slides to haul it in before the ropes. Three runs taken.

Closer to the off stump, on a fuller length, 125 kph. Babar leans on and blocks it to Root at short/catching mid off. He picks the ball and underflicks it to the non-striker's end, but the ball rolls wide of the stumps and is backed up by mid on.

Harmlessly outside off, on a length. Babar is not interested to poke at this outswinging ball.

Pitched outside leg, on a fuller length, Shan plants the front foot across and steers it to deep square leg for an easy single.

Slightly back of a length, outside off, Masood presses in front and steers it behind point. Two is the initial call, but they will get just a single as the fielder is quick to get to the ball in the deep.

Angled in, on off, nipping in off the seam. Masood gets half-forward by covering the line. Looks to defend, but gets an inside edge, onto the front pad and the ball then rolls to the leg side.

Another full ball at 136 kph, outside off, Shan Masood leans on and drives it to the fielder at mid off.

Full and straight, outside off, driven firmly to mid off.

Skids through, on a length, on middle, Masood blocks it off the back foot.

Uses the wider angle from around the stump and attacks the pads, full in length. Masood drags the bat in front and eases it to mid on.

It will be Gus Atkinson to bowl from the other end.

Shapes away gently, outside off, Babar plays with soft hands to push at it, gets a thick outside edge, but the ball immediately goes to ground and rolls wide of the gully fielder for a couple of runs. Pakistan now trail by 129 runs.

Around off and full, Babar defends it to the leg side.

FOUR BYES! Beats everyone and everything. Lands full and just goes underground, outside off. Babar prods forward to block, but the ball goes below the underedge and nutmegs Cox before racing to the fence behind.

A catching mid off in place, just beside the pitch. Root himself is there. Curves away, on a length, outside off. Left well by Babar.

Shapes in on middle, Shan Masood flicks the full ball through square leg for a single.

Swings the ball back in, full and outside the leg stump. Masood misses the flick and is hit on the front pad.

Welcome back! We are all set for the post-Lunch session on Day 3. The umpires are in their positions, and the English fielders are spreading out on the field as well. Shan Masood and Babar Azam are ready to resume their stay at the crease as well. The sun is shining as well, and it will be Ollie Robinson to get proceedings underway with the ball. Let's go...

... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ...

Not much to write home about - With a few clouds hovering around Edgbaston, the English bowlers were expected to do some early damage in the morning session, but that didn't materialize. Ollie Robinson kept chipping away and was economical but not as effective as he has been throughout this English summer. Jofra Archer seemed down on pace, and Gus Atkinson didn't get anything out of the deck. Josh Tongue was very expensive and generally, even when he is going for a few runs, he does create opportunities, which we didn't see in the session gone by. Right then, the post-Lunch session is set to begin at around 12.55 pm GMT, and it will be an important session for Pakistan as they look to consolidate and force Day 4. However, England will be aware that a couple of wickets early in the session, and it could trigger a substantial collapse. Should be interesting, so stay tuned.

Masood takes charge - After playing county cricket in England for a long time, one expected a lot from Shan Masood on this tour and he's shown glimpses, but this knock finally shows that he is a proper red-ball player. Masood is currently unbeaten on 83 and will be itching to get to that three-figure mark. The highlight of Pakistan's second innings has been the stand between Masood and Azan Awais, which did get broken but not before the duo added 125 runs for the third wicket. Babar Azam has looked in excellent nick so far as well and with someone like Saud Shakeel still to come, Pakistan will hope to overturn the deficit and make England bat again.

12.18 pm GMT - LUNCH, DAY 3 - A solid session with the bat for Pakistan, but England still have a first-innings lead of 136 runs. As many as 132 runs were added in the opening session on Day 3 at the cost of just one wicket, and the visitors seem to be showing some fight here.

A dot to end, and that will be Lunch on Day 3. Pitched up on off stump, Babar Azam goes for the straight drive but miscues it a bit and hits it to mid off.

Fullish length, just outside off, Babar Azam is drawn forward and squeezes it off the outer half of the blade towards cover.

Full again, on off, blocked back to the bowler by Azam.

FOUR! That's too easy for someone like Babar Azam. Overpitched delivery, wide outside off, Azam leans on and caresses it past overs for a boundary.

An appeal for leg bye, but it is turned down. Probably sliding down leg. Fullish length, on middle, angling back in. Masood gets a bit too far across to the off side and misses the flick, wearing it on the back leg. The ball rolls to leg gully for a leg bye.

A skiddy length ball, angled down leg. Masood moves inside the line and gets it off the pads to fine leg for a couple of leg byes.

Last over before Lunch. Oh, something completely different from England. It's Harry Brook who will be bowling it. Any late drama in the session?

Good length, in and around off. Babar Azam gets halfway forward and blocks it under the eyes.

A bit fuller and wider outside off, seaming away. Much easier leave for Babar to make this time. Ollie oversteps again, and another No Ball is called.

This one goes the other way! Robinson holds a nice length, pitching it just outside off. Azam looks to block but the ball seams away and beats the outside edge by a fair bit.

Pushed into the batter from wider on the crease, Babar works it away through to the right of the mid-wicket fielder and picks up a couple of runs. The 50-run partnership comes up between Babar and Masood.

A bit fuller, bowled from wider on the crease and on the fourth stump line. Azam makes an assured leave.

Good length, in and around off, blocked on the front foot by Babar.

A big appeal for LBW, but there seems to be an inside edge on it, and the umpire turns it down. Nagging length around off, darts back in. Babar Azam looks to stay back and block and gets an inside edge onto the front pad. Well, Robinson has overstepped and a No Ball is called. So, it wouldn't have mattered even if there wasn't any bat involved.

Good length in the channel, Masood plays it late, gliding it down to deep third. The slip fielder chases it down and the batters pick up three runs.

The square leg umpire gets caught in the crossfire, and Shan Masood isn't happy with it. Too full and on the pads, clipped away with stellar timing but Paul Riffle at square leg can't quite get out of the way and cops a blow to the body. Single taken.

Full and on off, swinging away. Masood drills the drive straight to the square cover fielder.

Root hands the ball over to the on-field umpire for the gauge test, but Chris Gaffaney is having none of it and he tosses the ball back to him. Root shines the ball and gives it back to Tongue.

On middle, a bit fuller and just shapes away a wee bit. Masood keeps a still head and covers the line, pushing it down to mid on.

Full ball on middle, Azam clips the on drive off the middle of the blade and gets it wide of mid on for a quick single.

That's zipped off the deck. Good length in the channel, at 141 kph. This one angles in with good carry and Babar shoulders arms at it.

FOUR! Imperious from Babar Azam. A bit too full and around off, Azam shows the full face of the blade and hammers the drive right back past the bowler for a boundary.

That's brilliant from Cox. Good length, slipped down the leg side again. Masood reaches forward to flick but misses and the keeper is lightning-quick to collect the ball and whips off the bails. However, Masood keeps his back leg planted inside the crease.

Full again, straighter in line, clipped away off the legs and through mid-wicket for a couple of more handy runs.

Keeps the length fuller, does Robinson and angles it into the legs. Masood clips it to square leg.

FOUR LEG BYES! Loose from Robinson. Fuller and slipped down the leg side, Masood misses the flick, gets it off the pads, and the ball goes past the keeper to the fine leg fence. Pakistan now trail by 158 more runs.

Good length, drifted down the leg side. Cox fails to collect it cleanly to his right.

Back of a length, pushed in towards off stump. Masood hops across to make the block.

Ollie Robinson (11-6-13-2) is back into the attack. Cox is standing up to the stumps.

A string of five dots to end the over. Full of a length, angling back in towards off. Babar Azam plays an eye-catching cover drive, but punches it straight to extra cover.

Fuller in length, in the channel, shapes back in late. Azam makes a watchful leave.

On a length at 141 kph, attacking off and middle. Azam gets a good stride out in front and makes another block.

Full-pitched delivery on off, angling back in. Azam gets his hands out in front and plays it back to the bowler.

Pitched fuller on middle. Azam solidly blocks it off the front foot.

FOUR! Lovely timing from Babar. Short of a good length, angled into the pads. Babar Azam tucks it neatly through square leg and the ball races to the fence in front of the Hollies stand.

Full again, outside off, Masood pings it to the fielder at extra cover.

Full-ish, outside off, Masood creams it away, but straight to the point fielder.

Hammers it on a length, outside off, Shan hops off and dabs it to the off side.

Nice and full, on off, Shan tries to drive away, but the bat twists at the point of contact and the ball goes off the inner half to the mid on region.

FOUR! Fine shot! No real venom on that short ball and Masood is quick to pounce on it. Gets into a stable position before pulling it to the left of mid-wicket, and beats deep backward square leg to his right for a boundary.

Short on top of off, 133 kph. Shan fends it to backward point with soft hands.

Fuller one, on middle, Babar clips it to short mid-wicket.

Slants it in to attack the pads, on a fuller length. Babar covers the line and blocks it to mid on.

Back of a length, outside off, Azam lets that through.

Pitched full and around off, Babar presses forward and defends.

FOUR! Runs away! Too straight down leg, on a fuller length. Babar uses the pace and just tickles it to the deep fine leg fence. Babar gets into the double figures for the first time this series and that brings the 150 up for Pakistan! They trail by 170 runs.

Beaten! Beauty by Tongue. Shapes away late at 135 kph, full and outside off. Babar Azam does not move his feet at all and loosely drives away from the body, but the ball whistles past his outside edge.

FOUR! Finds the gap again! Short from Jofra, angling in at the bodyline. Shan swivels and hammers it through wide mid-wicket for a boundary. He moves to 73, and the deficit for Pakistan is now 174 runs.

On that bail-trimming length, on off, Shan Masood camps back and bunts it down the pitch.

Fuller ball, on off, Masood carves it down to mid on.

More frustration for Archer as Shan bails out at the last second.

Slams it hard into the pitch, outside off, Shan Masood arches back and cuts it square to the left of Robinson at point. Ollie runs across and tries to stop the ball with his left foot, but gets nowhere close to it and the ball rolls to the deep for two runs. Archer won't be too pleased with that lethargic effort.

FOUR! Effortless from Masood! Short of a length, angling in. Shan Masood picks the length early and pulls it along the ground, and beats Theo Wylie, the sub fielder, to his right for a boundary. Archer casts a slightly frustrated figure as he thinks that should have been stopped. Pakistan trail by 180 runs.

Spears it full on off, Shan Masood confidently blocks it off the front foot.

Just the one over for Lawrence, who is sent back to the cordon. But he did the job to provide a breakthrough. Jofra Archer returns for another ferocious spell. 7-0-33-0 so far.

On a fuller length, on middle, Shan Masood clips it through mid-wicket and they cross over for the third run.

Absolute pearler! He angles the ball in, lands it full and gets the ball to nip away off the seam. Shan Masood is drawn in front and is forced to play at it because of the angle created by the bowler. He looks to defend but the ball leaves him to zip past his outside edge.

Serves it full and on off, Masood defends it straight.

Short of a length, outside off, Babar punches it off the back foot to the left of cover for a single.

Cannons in a yorker, on middle, Babar jams the bat down in time and shovels it down to mid on.

FOUR! Timed to perfection! Angled into the batter, on a good length. Babar Azam whips off his pads and finds the gap wide of mid-wicket for a boundary.

A double change in bowling. Josh Tongue (5-0-38-0) is brought back on. He dismissed Babar in the first innings with a corker.

In-drifter, on a fullish length, Shan Masood leans forward and smothers the spin.

Floated up, full and outside off, Babar Azam caresses it through covers for an easy run.

Dishes out an off-break from around the stump. Full and spinning from middle to off, Shan Masood taps it to the cover-point region and they are quick to rotate the strike before the throw arrives at the keeper.

Off the mark straightaway! Full and outside off, Babar Azam drives it through extra cover for a single.

The 125-run stand is broken at long last. An inspiring bowling change from Root. In walks the captain Babar Azam at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Lawrence breaks the deadlock in his very first over. Drifts the ball down the leg stump line, on a fuller length. Azan is sucked on the front foot and tries to play across the line but the ball sneaks close to the inside edge before nestling into Jordan Cox's glove. Cox in fact dislodges the bails in a flash for a possible stumping. A big appeal for caught behind goes around, but the umpire denies. Joe Root wastes no time in sending it upstairs. He is at leg slip and seems confident to have heard something. And Root gets the review spot on. UltraEdge detects a spike and the on-field decision is overturned. Cox wasn't really confident about it, but it was a good sharp grab to his right. Pakistan are 125/3, trailing by 195 runs.

Around the stump. Full and on off, Awais lunges ahead and eases it back to the bowler.

First look at spin, then. With seam not causing much of a trouble, here's Dan Lawrence into the attack to bowl his spooky offies. A slip and a leg slip in place.

Pitched full on off, angled in, Shan taps it back at the bowler.

FOUR! Fluently played! Short of a length, outside the off stump. Shan Masood plays off the back foot and nails the square cut through the point gap and picks up a boundary. Pakistan trail by 195 runs.

Length ball, on off, dabbed off the back foot to gully.

Back of a length, on top of off, Azan Awais plays it very late off the back foot. Deliberately opens the bat face and gets it through the gully and second slip gap. Emilio Gay sprints after it from the cordon and manages to haul the ball back in with a slide. Ensures that his right leg is not in contact with the ropes while holding the ball in hand. The replay shows it is a clean save. Three runs taken.

Had to really hurry there! Bowled full and on middle, Shan Masood flicks it to Ollie Robinson at mid on but skates through for a single. Robinson scores a direct hit to the bowler's end but Shan has made it home before the stumps are hit.

Spears it on a length, on off, Shan bunts it firmly to mid on.

FOUR! Sumptuous! Tongue serves it full and outside off, Azan Awais does not try to hit it hard, just checks the drive and beats the backward point fielder to his left for a boundary.

Slams it short again, at shoulder height. Masood pulls it to deep backward square leg for a run.

Short of a good length, on the leg stump, does not rise up to cause trouble. Azan Awais controls the pull shot through backward square leg for a single.

Angled onto the pads, on a length, Masood clips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Full and on the stumps, Shan stretches in front and blocks it to the left of the bowler.

Full at 135 kph, on off, Azan prods forward and taps it to the right of the cover fielder for a quick single. Pakistan trail by 210 runs!

Banged short but way down leg. Left alone once again by Shan.

Full ball, wide outside the off stump line. Left alone by Masood.

That will be FIFTY for Azan Awais! It's been a very well-compiled knock and he will now look to turn it into a big knock. This is bowled a bit fuller and wider of the off stump, Awais eases it behind point for a single.

Hard length from Gus, bowling it a bit straighter. Awais taps it across to the leg side.

Nicely bowled! Good length, in the channel, seams away late. Azan Awais plays a loose punch, neither going forward or backward and the ball beats the outside edge.

A full ball around off, slanted back in. Masood squeezes the drive away past the point fielder and picks up a single.

Drinks Break! A solid resistance from Masood and Awais has shrunk the deficit for Pakistan to 213 runs. It's still a long, long way to go for the tourists, but these to have displayed the determination to battle it out there. Masood has notched his half-century, which was crucial for him after a streak of low scores in this series whereas Azan is just one shy of his own. Whether the pitch is good for batting or these two have really dug in well against a potent attack remains up for debate, but it's good to see a bit of a fight out there. Root has his men gathered in a huddle and is pumping them up with a few words. England would definitely want to break this partnership before Lunch and take at least a couple of wickets. Gus Atkinson (5-0-24-0) will bowl after the hydration break.

That's a beauty from Tongue. Full of a length, in and around off, moves away late. Azan Awais plays down the line and the ball zips past the outside edge. There's half an appeal for a caught behind, and nothing more.

Good length, attacking the top of off. Awais gets forward to block and the bottom hand comes off the blade in doing so.

FOUR! There are a couple of fielders in the deep for that shot, but Awais doesn't worry about it much. Dug in shorter around off, Awais swivels to the off side and nails the pull wide to the right of deep square leg for a boundary. He is now on 49.

Shorter in length, Azan Awais hangs back and gets the hands out in front, hitting it on top of the bounce and through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Good running once again. Length ball on middle, eased away wide of mid on for a quick single.

Pitched up a bit fuller and on off, Masood gets halfway forward and nudges it into the leg side.

Fuller in length, on off, Azan leans forward and blocks it to the off side.

Fullish and outside off, Awais confidently defends it to point.

Geez, that really flew off the pitch. Steep bounce from a shorter length, on off, angling in. Azan looks to defend, but gets flummoxed by the lift and fends it off the gloves. The ball bobbles up and falls safely in the square leg region.

FIFTY FOR SHAN MASOOD! A courageous knock so far from him to get to his 15th Test half-century. His first fifty this tour. Fuller one, on middle, Masood clips it wide of mid on for a quick single. This also brings up the 100 for Pakistan!

FOUR! Not in control but through the gap! It could have gone anywhere. Full from Gus, outside off, Shan Masood looks to drive it through covers, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball gets sliced a bit uppishly, but between gully and backward point for a boundary.

Good length, on off, Shan hops off and taps it gently to backward point.

Fullish ball, on the pads, Azan Awais flicks it down to mid on.

Around off on a length, Masood presses forward and defends it into covers.

Shortens the length, on top of off, Awais stands up on the toes and bunts it down with soft hands.

On a fuller length, angling in. Masood whisks it to deep square leg for a single.

Back of a length, down leg, Masood misses the tickle and the ball bounces back to the keeper.

DROPPED AND FOUR! A genuine chance goes down. Masood dropped on 40. On a fuller length, outside the off stump. Masood cannot control his off drive and slices it uppishly, to the right of backward point. The sub fielder there, Theo Wylie, gets his hands on the ball to catch at thigh height, but it just bursts through and races away to the fence. Perhaps Theo was a fraction late to react as the ball rifled quickly toward him. But it should have been taken nonetheless. Good to see Root running up to Wylie, and putting his arm round him and having a quick chat.

Nice and full, clocking 140 kph, on off, Awais opens the bat face and steers it to backward point.

Slightly full and just outside off. A good-looking cover drive from Masood, but Archer from mid off swoops to his right and makes a half-stop. Duckett converges to pick the ball and throw to the keeper. One run taken. Pakistan trail by 230 runs!

Hits the length hard, on top of middle, 133 kph, Masood nudges it off the back foot to short mid-wicket.

Full and angling from middle to off, Shan defends it straight with a vertical bat.

From over the wicket now. Attacks the pads, on a length. Masood comfortably tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Two is the call from Shan and they will get it. A touch full from around the stumps, Shan Masood lets the ball angle into him and flicks it to the right of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Gus Atkinson (3-0-16-0) to bowl for the first time on Day 3.

On a fuller length, 140 kph, Azan plants the front foot across and clips it to mid on. 10 runs from this over.

Serves it full on middle, Awais presents straight bat face and blocks it straight back at the bowler.

Wide outside off, 138 kph, on a length. Azan leaves.

FOUR! Even better! Awais moves to 43. A long half-volley by Tongue, outside off, Azan Awais leans completely onto it and creams it wide of cover for a cracking boundary. He has shown good temperament so far.

FOUR! More runs for Pakistan as they trail by 237 runs! Tad fuller, on the pads, Awais lets the ball arrive and clips it through mid-wicket and square leg for a boundary.

Very full and around the off stump. Azan taps it through cover and point. The fielder from cover sprints to chase the ball down in the deep. Two runs taken.

Nip-backer from a good length, stays low and skids through. Shan Masood negotiates well and stabs it down the pitch.

At 128 kph, this is slammed hard into the deck, on top of off, Shan trusts the bounce and offers no shot.

Short of a length, outside off, let through by Masood.

Good fielding! Good length, outside off, Shan Masood crunches it to pierce the gap, but Gus Atkinson, at backward point, dives full-length to his right and makes a sharp stop.

Fuller in length, on off and middle, Shan keeps it out to cover-point.

Very tight single! Angling in from off, on a good length. Azan stays put and tucks it to the left of mid-wicket. There is a bit of yes and no between the batters before they decide to dash through for a run. The substitute fielder moves quickly and throws it flat to the bowling end, forcing Awais to dive, but misses his shy.

Not that full, on off, Masood prods and knocks it into covers.

A bit of an inward curve on this one, full around off. Shan Masood looks to push it straight, but gets an inside edge onto the front pad.

FOUR! Wristy! Full on middle and leg, Shan Masood plays with the angle created and flicks it neatly through wide mid-wicket for a boundary.

EDGED AND FOUR! Duckett was moved from third slip to leg slip just before this delivery. Root can do nothing but smile it off. Back of a length, in and around off, nipping away off the seam. Shan Masood is completely squared up to defend it down and gets a fat outside edge. The ball shoots low to the left of second slip. Brook dives, stretches his hand out but the ball stays out of his reach and runs away to deep third fence. Whether Duckett would have taken it is a different matter, but that was a genuine chance created by Tongue.

Bangs it on a length, angling it on the pads, Azan Awais gets a tad across to nudge it off the back foot, but misses and the ball rolls off the thigh pad to backward square leg. They amble through for a leg bye.

Beats the bat straightaway! 'Round the wicket he starts and lands it on a full-ish length, around the off stump. But the ball refuses to rise up and straightens from the surface to beat Azan's attempted front foot block.

Josh Tongue to bowl for the first time in this innings.

Slightly back of a length, on top of off, Shan Masood stabs it across to the short mid-wicket fielder. Sixth maiden from Robinson in a spell of ten overs.

Stump-to-stump line, on a fuller length. Masood drags the bat ahead of his pads and pushes it to mid off.

At 130 kph, full around off, Masood strokes it down to mid on.

Much fuller and straighter, on off, Shan presses forward and blocks it solidly.

Angles it a bit away from the batter, full, Shan tries to drive it to the off side, but the ball squirts off his inner half of the bat and rolls to mid on.

Attacks the stumps, a touch full at 127 kph. Shan Masood gently blocks it back to Robinson.

Back to over the wicket, dug in short again and over leg. Awais ducks under it well.

Nice and full, in the channel outside off. Awais plays a confident square drive but finds the fielder in front of point.

Oh, that's kept down. Short ball, pushed into the batter, Azan Awais ducks under it, but the ball nearly brushes his helmet on the way through to the keeper.

A full ball from around the wicket, slanted into the pads. Awais plays it with a straight bat and back down the strip.

A bit too straight again from Archer, fuller as well, and Masood flicks it through square leg for an easy single.

Length ball at 140 clicks, drifted down the leg side. Shan misses the flick and the ball goes through to the keeper.

The sun has now broken through the clouds. But there's a dark band of clouds lurking in the backdrop of Edgbaston.

Nagging length, pushed in towards the off pole. Awais opts to stay in his crease and blocks it off.

A half-hearted appeal for LBW, but that looks pretty high and might be sliding down as well. So, the umpire says no. Short of a good length, angled into the batter. Awais gets forward and looks to flick but misses and the ball hits him on the pads.

Beaten again! Bowled from a bit wider on the crease, fuller and angled in from outside off. Awais looks to block but is beaten on the outside edge once more.

That's more like it. Very full and in the channel, moves away a bit, and late as well. Awais gets the bat down to block but the ball beats the outside edge.

Better length from Ollie, but he needs to be further up to the stumps. Hard length on off, slants back in with some extra bounce. Awais stays back to defend.

Banged in short and around off, not enough pace to trouble the batter. Awais leans across to the off side and crunches the pull down to the right of deep mid-wicket for two runs.

A maximum of 98.2 overs are scheduled to be bowled today, weather permitting, to make up for the overs lost on Day 2. And here are the revised session timings for the day - Session 1 - 10 am GMT to 12.15 pm GMT, Session 2 - 12.55 pm GMT to 3.10 pm GMT, Session 3 - 3.30 pm GMT - 5.30 pm GMT (with 30 extra minutes).

An attacking delivery to end the over. Short-pitched delivery over middle and leg, coming in around neck height. Shan Masood sways away from the line of the ball.

A simple push for a brace. Pitched up on off, Masood gets nicely forward and plays it with a straight bat towards the vacant mid off region for a couple of handy runs. Pakistan still trail by 256 runs.

Too straight, shaping into the pads. Clipped away down to deep backward square leg for one.

Back of a length, over the stumps, trying to square up the batter. Awais hops up a bit and awkwardly fends it back onto the deck.

Good length again, on middle, at a brisk 140 kph. Awais stays back and pushes it down to mid off.

Good length around leg, tucked off the hips and down to fine leg for a single.

And again! Good length on off and middle, Azan Awais thinks about getting forward but the ball shoots up sharply and Awais gets a blow to the gloves. This one seems to have stung him a bit as well.

A bit of extra bounce off the deck. Full of a good length, on off. Awais leans forward to block but is taken aback but manages to block it down.

FOUR BYES! Robinson tries to bring leg slip into play but that's pretty wayward. Hammered into the deck and over middle, angled into the left-hander. Awais looks to pull but misses and the ball keeps moving down leg, going between the keeper and leg slip for four extra runs.

Robinson comes around the wicket, with the keeper up to the stumps. This is full and honing in on off and middle, Awais blocks it off the front foot.

Robinson pitches it fuller on middle, at 125 kph. Solidly blocked off by Awais.

Much fuller on off, Awais gets on the front foot and drives it to mid off.

That's a peach from Jofra! A smidge fuller and on off, threatens to swing back in but just goes on with the angle. Shan Masood has a poke at it and gets beaten.

Archer hits a good length and bowls it straighter at the stumps, Masood tucks it to the leg side.

Bowled into the pitch and over middle, doesn't get high enough. Masood looks to roll the wrists over the ball and angle it fine but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad. He got out playing a similar shot in the first innings, but this time the ball doesn't pop up in the air.

FOUR! First runs of the day. Slightly overpitched from Archer and on the fifth stump line. Shan leans on it well and strokes it through the gap at covers for a boundary.

Back of a length, in and around off. Shan Masood hangs back and plays it late, dabbing it down to cover-point.