England vs Pakistan Third Test: England Close In on a Series Sweep at Edgbaston

England already lead this three-match series 2-0, and the third Test at Edgbaston is heading the same way. After stumbling to 39 for 3 on day one, England recovered to post 453, built a first-innings lead of 320 runs, and had Pakistan two wickets down within four balls of their second innings. If you’re following England vs Pakistan third Test odds or thinking about a wager on the outcome, here’s where things stand, and how it connects to sports betting at CasinoUS.com.

Score reflects play through the close of day two, September 10, 2026.

Where the Match Stands Right Now

Pakistan folded for just 133 in their first innings at Edgbaston. England answered with 453, a total built on a middle-order recovery after early wickets fell on day one. Ollie Robinson led the charge with the bat, reaching his half-century with a reverse-sweep and pushing the total well past Pakistan’s reach.

Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith took a painful blow to his finger while standing up to the stumps, so Jordan Cox took the gloves for Pakistan’s second innings. Smith still batted through the discomfort and picked up a quick fifty of his own earlier in the innings, including a six off just his eleventh ball faced.

With a 320-run cushion in hand, England sent Pakistan back out and struck twice in the first four balls, removing Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique cheaply. Rain then ended play early, and Pakistan closed day two on 52 for 2, still trailing by 268 runs with Azan Awais and Shan Masood unbeaten. Day three is underway now, and Pakistan will need something close to a miracle partnership to push this Test into day four or five.

Why Pakistan Is Struggling to Turn the Corner

This series has been rough for Pakistan off the field as much as on it. Mohammad Rizwan was sent home after the second Test at Lord’s, which pushed young keeper-batter Ghazi Ghori into the side under real pressure. Captain Babar Azam already missed the first Test with a hand injury, and the squad has gone through repeated changes heading into Edgbaston.

The bigger picture is even more telling. Pakistan’s overall win-loss ratio in Test cricket has dropped below 1.00 for the first time in nearly 40 years. That’s not a one-series problem. It’s a program-wide slide that shows up clearly every time Pakistan tours a strong home side like England.

For England, this series also carries weight in the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship table. A clean sweep at Edgbaston would put them in a strong position ahead of tougher assignments later in the cycle, and it continues a run that has already produced their first series win since 2024.

How to Follow the Rest of the Match

Play at Edgbaston runs on UK hours, starting at 11 a.m. local time with a lunch break, a tea break, and a close of play around 6 p.m. For US fans, that means the action typically kicks off in the early morning Eastern time, so live scores and streaming options are the easiest way to keep up without staying up all night. Most major sports networks and cricket-specific streaming apps carry ball-by-ball coverage of England’s home Tests, along with radio commentary for anyone who just wants updates in the background.

If Pakistan’s second innings collapses quickly, the match could wrap up before the scheduled fifth day, so it’s worth checking a live scorecard rather than assuming the Test runs the full distance.

Key Performers Driving the Series

A few names stand out heading into the closing days at Edgbaston. Harry Brook has been England’s most productive batter across the series, and Joe Root, who also captains the side, has piled up runs at the top of the order all summer. On the bowling side, Josh Tongue and Jofra Archer have carried England’s attack, while Pakistan has leaned on Sajid Khan and Mohammad Abbas for what wicket-taking chances they’ve had.

Shan Masood and Babar Azam remain Pakistan’s most experienced batters, but neither has found the consistency needed to counter England’s bowling attack on this tour. That gap in form is a big part of why Pakistan is chasing the game again at Edgbaston instead of setting the terms.

What This Means If You’re Watching the Odds

Cricket doesn’t get the same spotlight as football or basketball on most US sportsbooks, but interest has grown as more states roll out legal online betting. A lopsided Test like this one typically pushes match-winner odds heavily toward the favorite once a big first-innings lead is on the board, and live or in-play markets often move fast during collapses like Pakistan’s early second-innings slide.

Before you place anything on a cricket market, or any sport, it’s worth checking how legal sports betting works in your state, since rules and available markets still vary a lot across the US. If you’re new to sportsbooks generally, CasinoUS.com’s sports betting section breaks down how moneylines, spreads, and live betting work across different sports, cricket included.

Sportsbooks tied to CasinoUS.com’s partner casinos also run welcome bonuses and deposit offers that new bettors can use to get started, though it’s smart to read the terms carefully rather than assume any offer guarantees a profit. Backing Pakistan to survive to day five is a real option for bettors who like long odds, but it comes with real risk given the current run of play.

FAQ

Is cricket betting legal in the US?

It depends on your state. Where online sports betting is legal, most licensed sportsbooks that carry international cricket will list Test matches like this one, but not every state allows cricket markets or online wagering in general. Check your state’s rules before you bet.

Where is the England vs Pakistan third Test being played?

The match is at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, running from September 9 to 13, 2026, as the final Test of a three-match series that England lead 2-0.

What happens if a Test match doesn’t finish in five days?

If neither team wins within the five scheduled days, the match ends in a draw regardless of the score. Given the size of England’s lead here, a result before day five looks likely, but weather or a stubborn partnership could still push it that far.