3 player battles to watch out for in ENG vs PAK 3rd Test

3 player battles to watch out for in ENG vs PAK 3rd Test (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images/Photo by Sam Mellish/Getty Images)

England hold a commanding 2–0 series lead as the third Test begins at Edgbaston on September 9. The hosts won the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs, establishing early dominance in the series. England won the second Test by 194 runs in London. Pakistan will look to salvage pride in the final match, with several key players facing stern examination from England’s bowling attack.

Here are three player battles to watch out for in third Test between England and Pakistan:

Babar Azam vs Jofra Archer

Babar Azam has endured a difficult series after missing the first Test due to injury. The Pakistan captain has managed just 14 runs across two innings so far and will be eager to rediscover his form in the third Test. Meanwhile, Jofra Archer has been England’s standout bowler, claiming eight wickets across the two Tests.

The right-arm pacer dismissed Babar once during the second innings of the second Test at Lord’s and will be confident of repeating that success at Edgbaston. Babar will need to find a way to counter Archer’s pace and aggression.

Joe Root vs Mohammad Abbas

Joe Root has accumulated 94 runs in the two completed Tests of the series, but the England batter has struggled to find his rhythm throughout the summer. The England captain has repeatedly been dismissed leg before wicket, with the Dukes ball becoming a talking point around his struggles. However, the manufacturer of the Dukes ball has denied that there has been any significant change to its production or characteristics.

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas has emerged as one of the biggest threats to Root in the series. Abbas is Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker across the two completed Tests, having claimed 10 wickets. He also dismissed Root in the second Test, trapping the England captain LBW.

Abdullah Shafique vs Ollie Robinson

Abdullah Shafique has scored 81 runs in two Tests, offering some resistance in Pakistan’s batting line-up. Meanwhile, Ollie Robinson has been relentless with the ball, claiming 16 wickets in the series so far.

The England pacer has also dismissed Shafique three times across the two Tests, giving him a clear advantage in their battle. Robinson’s accuracy and consistency will be crucial as England look to maintain their dominance and wrap up the series in the third Test.

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