England captain Joe Root has rejected the narrative that Pakistan showed “no fight” in the first two Tests, calling such criticism disrespectful to both teams ahead of the third and final match at Edgbaston. England have already secured the series 2-0 after convincing victories at Headingley and Lord’s.
Pakistan’s struggles have been difficult to ignore. The visitors have failed to reach 200 in any of their four innings against England, while the hosts’ pace attack has repeatedly taken control of matches. Yet Root believes reducing the contest to an excellent England side against a poor Pakistan team misses an important part of the picture.
According to Root, England’s ability to read conditions quickly and prevent Pakistan from establishing partnerships has played a major role in the one-sided results. His argument is significant because it shifts attention from Pakistan’s shortcomings to England’s execution.
The final Test also comes after a dramatic overhaul inside the Pakistan camp. The PCB sent seven players home, changed the coaching setup and added several new faces, including uncapped Test players. Babar Azam admitted that the changes came as a surprise even to him.
For Pakistan, Edgbaston is therefore about more than avoiding a 3-0 defeat. It is an opportunity for a reshaped squad to restore confidence and give emerging players a platform. Babar has urged his team to play with freedom, arguing that with the series already lost, there is little left to fear.
Root’s comments also serve as a warning to England. A team that has already won the series could easily become complacent, but Pakistan’s new-look side has nothing to lose. The final Test may reveal whether England’s dominance continues—or whether Pakistan can turn Root’s words about their competitiveness into a performance on the field.
