Root and Cox seal England's 3-0 sweep after Pakistan's early double strike

England completed a 3-0 Test series sweep over Pakistan with an eight-wicket victory at Edgbaston, recovering from a dramatic opening over in their pursuit of 130. According to The Guardian's match report, Joe Root finished unbeaten on 62 and Jordan Cox on 59 as England secured their first series clean sweep in two years. Their unbroken partnership ensured Pakistan's early breakthrough did not develop into a sustained threat to the result.

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Mohammad Abbas gave the visitors an immediate opening by removing both England openers without scoring. Ben Duckett edged the first ball, and Emilio Gay was trapped lbw at the other end of the over, leaving England two for two. Gay's dismissal followed a first-innings contribution of 60, while Root arrived with the chase suddenly requiring a recovery rather than a straightforward finish.

Root and Cox rebuilt, but Pakistan still had opportunities to disrupt their partnership. Mohammad Ali bowled Root, only for a front-foot no-ball to cancel the dismissal. The Guardian reported that it was Ali's 17th no-ball of the series and the first to cost him a wicket. Root responded with a boundary through the covers. Later, an edge off Abbas passed between first and second slip with Root on 34, neither fielder attempting the catch.

Pakistan's bowling options were limited by the absence of a frontline spinner. Razaullah, handed the new ball after scoring 81 the previous evening, also suffered an early hand injury. Abbas continued to create pressure with the wicketkeeper standing up, but England's surviving batters both reached half-centuries. The winning runs came from a misfield, completing the chase on the fourth day and giving Root a series victory on his return to the England captaincy.

Dan Lawrence received the player-of-the-match award after scoring 65, taking two wickets with his off-spin and holding two catches. One was a one-handed effort to dismiss Shan Masood, Pakistan's leading scorer in the second innings. Lawrence made three half-centuries across the series, taking his career tally to seven, although he is still seeking his first Test hundred.

Ollie Robinson was England's player of the series with 21 wickets at an average just below nine. Abbas earned Pakistan's corresponding award after continuing to challenge England through the final chase. The defeat ended a disrupted tour for the visitors: seven players had been sent home and a head coach removed with Pakistan already trailing 2-0, leaving a substantially changed side for the concluding Test.