Pakistan’s batting problems continued in the third and final Test against England as the visitors were bowled out for 133 at Edgbaston on the first day. After losing the first two Tests at Leeds and Lord’s, Pakistan made several changes to their squad but could not stop another batting collapse.England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to bowl. Josh Tongue took 4-42, while Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer picked up three wickets each as Pakistan were dismissed in 44.3 overs.Saud Shakeel was Pakistan’s top scorer with 43, but the rest of the batting order again failed to spend time at the crease. This was the fifth time Pakistan had batted in the series and, on each occasion, they have been bowled out for less than 200.England then moved to 156-4 by stumps, taking a 23-run lead. Emilio Gay and Harry Brook scored fifties to put the hosts in control before the close of play. Joe Root was dismissed lbw, the 10th time he has been out that way in his last 13 innings.Shakeel said Pakistan were making the same mistakes with the bat and had failed to deal with the conditions.“It’s depressing, we’re making the same mistake as a batting unit,” Shakeel said. “We’re getting out in bunches and there were lots of soft dismissals today. We’re trying, but yes it’s frustrating that we keep making the same mistakes. I don’t think it’s a confidence issue. If you don’t have the confidence to play at this level, then you don’t deserve to play here. But in difficult conditions, poor form can be quite hard to break out of.“He said the team was working to address its problems but had found it difficult to handle the movement offered to England’s bowlers.“We’re working hard, it’s not like we aren’t trying,” Shakeel said. “There’s a lot of lateral movement and we’re not used to facing that, but we are trying our best. I’m not saying our batting group has not struggled, we have accepted that. But the conditions have been difficult.”
