Edgbaston Demolition: Seamers Skittle Pakistan for 133 Before Gay and Brook Hand England the Lead

A change in personnel failed to stop the rot for Pakistan as their batting woes reached a breaking point on the opening day at Edgbaston. Opting to bowl first in overcast conditions, England unleashed a relentless pace assault to skittle the tourists for a paltry 133 in just 33.5 overs. Despite early strikes from Pakistan's pacers, Harry Brook and opener Emilio Gay steered England to 156 for 4 by stumps, establishing a 23-run lead with six wickets firmly in hand.

DailyCricInfo brings you the complete, fact-checked report and tactical breakdown from Day 1 of the third Test in Birmingham.

Tongue and Robinson Tear Through Shambolic Top Order

Whatever hopes Pakistan had of turning their fortunes around after drafting in three debutants were dashed within the opening hour.

Ollie Robinson set the tone from ball one, getting the ball to nibble away off a good length. Saim Ayub fell for 8 to Robinson in the third over, while Jofra Archer removed young Azan Awais for 14.

Then came the middle-order implosion against Josh Tongue.

Operating with sharp bounce from the Birmingham End, Tongue ripped out Abdullah Shafique (10) and Pakistan captain Shan Masood (2) in quick succession to leave the tourists gasping at 26 for 4.

Babar Azam once again failed to bail his side out, falling caught behind off Tongue for 11. Wickets tumbled at regular intervals as Tongue finished with stellar figures of 4 for 42. Robinson (3 for 15) and Archer (3 for 25) cleaned up the remainder, wrapping up Pakistan's innings for 133 in 33.5 overs. The collapse marked the fifth consecutive innings on tour where Pakistan failed to breach the 200-run mark.

Early Jitters: Razaullah Strikes Before Gay and Brook Rebuild

Defending 133, Pakistan's new-ball attack threw an early scare into the England dressing room.

Mohammad Ali struck in the fourth over to remove Ben Duckett (11), while veteran seamer Mohammad Abbas trapped Jordan Cox in front for 4. When debutant fast bowler Razaullah trapped stand-in skipper Joe Root leg-before for just 8, England were wobbling at 39 for 3 in the 12th over.

However, Emilio Gay showed immense temperament to anchor the response.

Playing with compact technique, Gay negotiated the moving ball with soft hands, punishing anything wide. He combined with the fluent Harry Brook to turn the tables in an authoritative 104-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Gay brought up a gritty half-century, striking nine boundaries in his 60 off 114 balls before Razaullah breached his defense late in the evening session. Brook, on the other hand, was characteristically positive, striking four boundaries in his unbeaten 52 off 76 deliveries.

Dan Lawrence (5 not out) safely negotiated the final overs alongside Brook to see England through to 156 for 4 in 39 overs at stumps.

With the pitch continuing to offer seam movement under cloud cover, Pakistan will need an extraordinary morning burst on Day 2 to keep England's lead within manageable territory.

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