138 years later, the England-Pakistan series creates a rare test of cricket

Photo credit: Reuters Photo NEW DELHI: England completed the Test series 3-0 over Pakistan at Edgbaston, but the series produced an unusual statistic.It was only the eighth three-match Test series in history to end without a single century. It was also only the second such series in England, after the 1888 Ashes.England’s batting was led by Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 62 in the third Test, while Jordan Cox scored an unbeaten 59 as England chased down 130 with eight wickets in hand.The result gave England a second Test series 3–0 win over Pakistan after success in the 2022/23 series. It was also England’s 15th three-match Test of the series overall.It was a 3-0 defeat for Pakistan in their 11th Test series.

Root survives the early scare to finish the job

England’s chase got off to a shocking start when Ben Duckett was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Emilio Gay then fell later in the same off the bowling of Mohammad Abbas.At 2 v 2, Pakistan had a chance to put England under serious pressure.But Root settled things. He survived a major scare when Mohammad Ali bowled him for 23, but the delivery was called a no-ball.It was Ali’s 17th no-ball of the series.Root had another lucky escape when he edged Abbas between first and second slip for 38. Neither fielder went for a catch.The England batsman made Pakistan pay for missed opportunities. He went on to complete his 110th score of 50 or more in Test cricket, including 41 centuries.

Cox provides strong support to Root

Jordan Cox provided excellent support to Root as the pair took control of the chase.Cox remained unbeaten on 59 to help England reach the target in just 25 overs.Pakistan showed plenty of fight in the third Test after conceding a massive lead of 320 runs in the first innings. But England’s dominance in the first two Tests meant the series was already heavily tilted in their favour.If Pakistan had shown the same fight earlier in the series, the match could have been much closer.

England bowlers make the difference

England’s fast bowlers were the biggest difference between the two sides.Ollie Robinson led the charge and finished the streak with 21 goals. Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson also played important roles as England’s pace attack made the most of the helping conditions.The bat, however, was less convincing.No English batter had scored a century in three Tests, making the series only the eighth three-match Test series without an individual hundred and only the second in England since the 1888 Ashes.

Razaullah gives Pakistan something to cheer about

Pakistan’s biggest positive came from debutant Razaullah, who produced a thrilling counter-attack at Edgbaston.His thrilling 81 off 63 balls gave Pakistan hope and briefly revived the third Test.But it was too late to change the outcome of the series.Pakistan have now lost 16 out of 21 Tests. Their tough tour was followed by major changes, with seven players being replaced in the squad after the second Test and also sacking coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul.For England, the series marked a strong comeback after their disappointing results against New Zealand and the Ashes defeat.Root’s return to captaincy following Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket also ended on a high.Marcus Trescothick, who took over as interim Red-ball head coach following the departure of Brendon McCullum, will now hand over the side to Stephen Fleming ahead of England’s three-Test tour of South Africa in December and January.