Root and Cox guide England to eight-wicket win and Pakistan series sweep

England completed a 3-0 Test series sweep against Pakistan on Saturday, September 12, with an eight-wicket victory at Edgbaston. Joe Root finished unbeaten on 62 and Jordan Cox on 59 as the hosts reached their target of 130 before lunch on the fourth day, according to BBC Sport's match report.

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The chase began with two wickets in Mohammad Abbas's opening over. Ben Duckett was caught behind from the first delivery, while Emilio Gay was dismissed lbw without scoring. England were 2-2, giving Pakistan an immediate opening after the visitors had recovered sufficiently in their second innings to force the hosts to bat again.

Root and Cox answered with an unbroken partnership of 128, although Pakistan had further opportunities. BBC Sport reported that Root played Mohammad Ali onto his stumps but survived because the bowler had overstepped. He later edged Abbas between the slips on 34. Neither incident produced a third wicket, and the pair completed the chase without another dismissal.

England's advantage had been established by a first-innings total of 453 in reply to Pakistan's 133. The ICC's second-day report recorded contributions throughout the order: Harry Brook made 75, Jamie Smith 69 and Dan Lawrence 65, while Ollie Robinson added a half-century and Jofra Archer scored 32. The resulting lead was 320, leaving Pakistan needing a substantial recovery simply to avoid an innings defeat.

That recovery came after Pakistan lost two wickets in the first four balls of their second innings. Resuming the third day at 52-2, they eventually reached 449. According to the ICC, Shan Masood led the scoring with 95, supported by Babar Azam's 76 and Azan Awais's 59. Those contributions helped overturn the deficit and ensured England would have a fourth-innings target to pursue.

Razaullah then supplied 81 from the lower order, with Mohammad Abbas contributing 42 as Pakistan extended their resistance. Gus Atkinson finished with three wickets in the innings, while Josh Tongue and Lawrence took two apiece. Pakistan's improved batting and Abbas's early breakthroughs made England work for the final victory, but Root and Cox ensured the series ended without a consolation win for the visitors.