Powered by half-centuries from Jordan Cox and captain Joe Root, England defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the third and final match to complete a historic 3-0 whitewash in the Test series.
The home team, chasing just 130 to win, were in deep trouble when openers Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay were dismissed in the opening over but Root (62) and Cox (59) saw them home.
The eight-wicket victory meant England inflicted a whitewash defeat on Pakistan for the first time on their home soil. The Three Lions had also won the opening two fixtures at Headingley and Lord’s, respectively.
Set to chase a modest target with two days remaining, the home side got off to a disastrous start in the pursuit as experienced Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas dismissed both England openers, Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay, for ducks in an enthralling opening over.
Following the early stutter, skipper Root joined forces with Cox, and the duo batted sensibly against a spirited Pakistan bowling attack.
The visitors had almost made a massive breakthrough on the final delivery of the 10th over, with the scoreboard reading 35/2, when Root chopped one off Mohammad Ali, who, however, had overstepped in the process.
Root made the most of the opportunity and ultimately brought up his 69th half-century in the 19th over of England’s innings, which also helped him amass a thousand Test runs at the venue.
Cox soon caught up with his captain in the 22nd over when he smashed Saim Ayub for a four through deep midwicket, registering his third half-century in the home series against England and in his budding Test career.
The set batters ultimately steered England over the line on the second delivery of the 25th over when Cox drove Mohammad Imran through the covers to steal a single.
Root remained the top-scorer for England in the run chase, making an unbeaten 62 off 69 deliveries, closely followed by Cox, who contributed with 59 not out from 76 balls.
Experienced seamer Abbas remained the solitary wicket-taker for Pakistan in the final innings, with two scalps, while the rest of the touring side’s bowlers went wicketless.
