[Watch] Joe Root gets saved by a no-ball as Mohammad Ali errs at crucial stage

The third and final Test between England and Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, took a dramatic turn on September 12 when England began their fourth-innings chase needing 130 runs with all 10 wickets intact. The target looked manageable, but the opening over upended those expectations immediately. Mohammad Abbas struck twice in the first over, removing both England openers and leaving the hosts in early trouble.

Joe Root and Jordan Cox then came together to steady the innings. Root, who had already broken the record for most catches by a fielder in Tests during this match, reaching 220 to surpass Steven Smith’s previous mark of 219, was looking to anchor the chase from the top of the order.

Root’s dismissal overturned after third umpire intervenes

The pivotal moment arrived when Mohammad Ali bowled Root for 23. Root attempted a square drive but chopped the delivery back onto his stumps. Pakistan’s players celebrated immediately, aware that England were in a precarious position with 95 runs still required. The on-field umpire, however, received communication from the third umpire and called a no-ball, cutting the celebrations short and sending Root back to the crease. England were 35 for 2 at the time.

A clip of the incident was shared on X, capturing the moment the no-ball call overturned the dismissal and Pakistan’s reaction as the reprieve was confirmed.

This was Ali’s 17th no-ball of the series, a figure that highlights how costly his overstepping has been across the three matches. The dismissal was overturned solely on the basis of the front-foot infringement.

England’s position in the chase after the reprieve

By the drinks break after the 12th over, Root had moved on to 32 from 38 balls, hitting five fours, while Cox was on 16 from 32 balls with two fours. Ali’s figures at that stage read 3 overs, 0 wickets for 17 runs. England were 51 for 2 at that point, still requiring runs to complete the chase.

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Pakistan had fought back strongly in this match after a difficult start. From a position of 0-2 down in the series and 320 runs behind on first innings, they posted 449 all out in their second innings. Shan Masood made 95, Babar Azam contributed 76, and Azan Awais added 59. Debutant Razaullah smashed 81 from 63 balls, including nine sixes, equalling Tim Southee’s record for most sixes in a debut Test innings, and added 121 for the ninth wicket with Mohammad Abbas, who made 42 from 67 balls. That effort set England a target of 130 and gave Pakistan a genuine chance of avoiding a 3-0 series sweep.