As the collapse unfolded, Nasser Hussain provided a critical appraisal of Pakistan’s batting performance. The England pundit observed as Pakistan’s batsmen fell in fast succession, unable to cope with the movement and pace supplied by the home bowlers on a seamer-friendly ground.
Pakistan had a spectacular collapse on the first day of the third Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The touring team lost four wickets in nine overs after England captain Joe Root won the toss and chose to field in cloudy circumstances.
Pakistan’s batting order disintegrated quickly, reaching just 26 for four as England’s fast bowlers took advantage of the conditions.
Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer teamed to demolish Pakistan’s top order, claiming two wickets each in the early stages. Robinson struck twice in his opening stint, first dismissing Saim Ayub for a duck lbw and then Abdullah Shafique, who nicked to the gully.
Ayub’s dismissal represented Robinson’s 100th Test wicket. Shan Masood holed out trying to pull Archer, and Josh Tongue clean bowled Babar Azam for 7.
Nasser Hussain analysis of Pakistan’s batting meltdown
Pakistan’s issues went beyond the first session. The team eventually sank to 133 all out on the first day of the third Test, reflecting the depth of their batting collapse. This came after Pakistan was already 2-0 down in the three-match series after losing the second Test by 194 runs at Lord’s.
The failure in Edgbaston came after considerable changes to Pakistan’s squad and coaching staff. Following the Lord’s defeat, the team made four changes to its playing XI.
More drastically, following the second Test loss, Pakistan’s head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant coach Umar Gul were fired, and seven players were removed from the squad as part of a major shakeup.
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