Arabic version: إنجلترا تقترب من اكتساح باكستان بعد توقف اللعب بسبب المطر

According to BBC News, England moved into a commanding position in the third Rothesay Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston before rain ended day two. Pakistan were 52-2 in their second innings, 268 runs short of making England bat again, after the hosts built a first-innings lead of 320.

England resumed on 156-4 and were bowled out for 453. Harry Brook made 75, Jamie Smith scored 69 and Dan Lawrence added 65, while Jordan Gay contributed 60. Ollie Robinson struck 50 and Jofra Archer was unbeaten on 32. Razaullah took 4-148 for Pakistan, but England’s batters extended their advantage despite none reaching a century.

Pakistan’s reply began after tea, with Robinson removing Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique in his opening over. Ayub edged to Harry Brook at second slip from the first ball, before Shafique edged to Joe Root at first slip. Azan Awais and Shan Masood then survived 12 overs in difficult light before the weather intervened.

Play was stopped for the final time at 17:07 BST. An extra half-hour was available, and play could have continued until 19:00 if conditions had permitted. England are pursuing a 3-0 series clean sweep when the players return on Friday.