[Watch] Josh Tongue cleans up Babar Azam for 7 after beating Pakistan captain for pace at Edgbaston

Josh Tongue clean-bowled Babar Azam for 7 in the 15th over of Pakistan's first innings on Day 1 of the 3rd Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on September 9, 2026. The delivery was clocked at 88 mph (141 kph), pitched at a perfect length and jagged in off the seam. Babar's bat came down at a wide angle, creating a large gap between bat and pad. The ball struck the top of off-stump.

England Cricket shared footage of the dismissal on X, capturing the moment Babar, who had faced 18 balls, was beaten for pace and undone by the seam movement. At the point of the wicket, Pakistan were 48/5 and in serious difficulty inside the first 15 overs.

Pakistan lost six wickets within 17 overs after being asked to bat first, with England's pace attack causing problems throughout the top order. Earlier in the innings, Azan Awais was caught by Tongue off Jofra Archer, Abdullah Shafique was caught by Dan Lawrence off Ollie Robinson, and Shan Masood also fell early. England's pace attack for this match comprised Archer, Robinson, Gus Atkinson and Tongue.

England captain Joe Root had won the toss and elected to bowl first. England entered the match already holding a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, having won the 2nd Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs inside three days. Tongue and Robinson each took eight wickets in that Headingley match.

Pakistan arrived at Edgbaston having made significant changes to their squad following the defeats in the first two Tests. Seven players were axed before the third match, and five debutants were included in the side. Babar said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, September 8, that he had not been informed before the changes were made: "I was not consulted. It was news to me as well. I only found out about all these things later," Babar said.

Pakistan's collapse and series context

Pakistan's record at Edgbaston adds further context to their position. They have played eight Tests at the ground without a win, losing five and drawing three. England, for their part, have not won three consecutive Tests since the summer of 2024, when they won five in a row against West Indies and Sri Lanka.

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The 3rd Test at Edgbaston is the final match of England's home series against Pakistan in 2026, with England already having secured the series win.