Quick answer: The Pakistan vs England (PAK vs ENG) 3rd Test 2026 starts on September 9 and runs through September 13 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. England already lead the three match series 2-0 after wins at Headingley and Lord’s, so this game will not change the series outcome, but it decides whether England complete a 3-0 clean sweep or Pakistan grab a consolation win. Pakistan have overhauled their squad and coaching staff after the Lord’s defeat, while England have kept almost the same winning group. Based on squad strength, home conditions, and current form, England go in as strong favorites to finish the series 3-0.
Follow live scores, ball by ball updates and full match reports on CRIC INFO 365 once the Test begins.
Series Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | 3rd Test, Pakistan tour of England 2026 (PAK vs ENG) |
| Dates | September 9 to 13, 2026 (5 day Test) |
| Venue | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| Series score before this match | England lead 2-0 |
| England captain | Joe Root |
| Pakistan captain | Babar Azam |
| Pakistan interim head coach | Mike Hesson |
| Competition | ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 |
| First Test result | England won by an innings and 103 runs (Headingley) |
| Second Test result | England won by 194 runs (Lord’s) |
| TV broadcast | Sky Sports (UK), PTV Sports and Ten Sports (Pakistan) |
When and Where Is the PAK vs ENG 3rd Test Being Played?
The PAK vs ENG match is scheduled at Edgbaston in Birmingham, starting Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and set to run through Sunday, September 13. Play begins at 11:00 AM local UK time each day, which is 3:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time.
| Day | Date | Local UK Time | Pakistan Time (PKT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | September 9, 2026 | 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM |
| Day 2 | September 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM |
| Day 3 | September 11, 2026 | 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM |
| Day 4 | September 12, 2026 | 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM |
| Day 5 (reserve) | September 13, 2026 | 11:00 AM | 3:00 PM |
This is also the first Test match ever played in September at Edgbaston, so both sides are stepping into slightly unusual late season conditions at this ground.
Why Does This Match Matter If the Series Is Already Decided?
This is a fair question a lot of fans ask, and it deserves a straight answer. England sealed the three match series with their win at Lord’s, so the trophy is already gone for Pakistan. But the Edgbaston Test still carries real weight for a few reasons.
- World Test Championship points: Every Test in the 2025-27 WTC cycle adds to a team’s points table position, and England’s recent wins have already lifted them above Sri Lanka in the standings.
- Avoiding a whitewash: Pakistan want to walk away from this tour with at least one positive result rather than a 3-0 loss, which would be one of their worst tours in years.
- New players getting a chance: With Pakistan’s squad overhaul, several uncapped players get their first taste of Test cricket in English conditions, which matters for the team’s future beyond this series.
- Personal milestones and form: Individual players on both sides still have plenty to play for, from World Test Championship rankings to simply proving their spot in the side.
So while it will not be called a series decider, it is not a meaningless match either.
What Happened in the First Two Tests?
Pakistan’s tour of England has gone badly so far. Here is a quick summary of both completed matches.
| Test | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Headingley, Leeds | England won by an innings and 103 runs |
| 2nd Test | Lord’s, London | England won by 194 runs |
At Lord’s, Ollie Robinson was the standout bowler with match figures of 8 wickets, while Saud Shakeel’s fighting 97 was one of the few positives for Pakistan’s batting across both games. Pakistan’s batting order struggled repeatedly against disciplined English seam bowling, and the team was bowled out for low totals in both matches.
What Is Pakistan’s Playing XI for the Edgbaston PAK vs ENG Test?
Pakistan made sweeping changes after the Lord’s defeat. The PCB released seven players from the squad, including wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, opener Imam-ul-Haq and spinner Ali Usman, and also replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed with white ball coach Mike Hesson for the rest of the series.
Pakistan Squad for the 3rd Test PAK vs ENG
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Babar Azam (captain) | Batter |
| Shan Masood | Batter |
| Abdullah Shafique | Batter |
| Saim Ayub | Batter |
| Saud Shakeel | Batter |
| Azan Awais | Batter |
| Abdullah Fazal | Batter/All rounder |
| Saad Baig | Wicketkeeper |
| Muhammad Ghazi Ghori | Wicketkeeper |
| Sajid Khan | Spin bowler |
| Mohammad Abbas | Fast bowler |
| Mohammad Ali | Fast bowler |
| Ubaid Shah | Fast bowler |
| Muhammad Imran | Fast bowler |
| Mohammad Imran Jnr | Fast bowler |
| Razaullah | Fast bowler/All rounder |
| Arafat Minhas | All rounder |
Predicted Pakistan Playing XI
- Shan Masood
- Abdullah Shafique
- Saim Ayub
- Babar Azam (captain)
- Saud Shakeel
- Azan Awais
- Saad Baig (wicketkeeper)
- Sajid Khan
- Mohammad Abbas
- Mohammad Ali
- Ubaid Shah
With Imam-ul-Haq gone from the squad and Mohammad Rizwan released as well, Pakistan’s batting order and wicketkeeping duties look very different from the first two Tests. Several of the new faces have limited or no Test experience, so this XI is more about giving fresh players a chance than chasing a specific tactical plan.
What Is England’s Playing XI for the Edgbaston Test?
England have kept faith with the squad that won the first two matches, making only small changes for depth. Sonny Baker keeps his place, while pace bowler Matthew Fisher and Brydon Carse both miss out on the 15 man group for this Test.
England Squad for the 3rd Test PAK vs ENG
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Joe Root (captain) | Batter |
| Ben Duckett | Batter |
| Jordan Cox | Batter |
| Emilio Gay | Batter |
| Dan Lawrence | Batter |
| Harry Brook | Batter |
| Ollie Pope | Batter |
| Jamie Smith | Wicketkeeper |
| Shoaib Bashir | Spin bowler |
| Jofra Archer | Fast bowler |
| Gus Atkinson | Fast bowler |
| Ollie Robinson | Fast bowler |
| Sam Cook | Fast bowler |
| Josh Tongue | Fast bowler |
| Sonny Baker | Fast bowler |
Predicted England Playing XI
- Ben Duckett
- Jordan Cox
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root (captain)
- Harry Brook
- Dan Lawrence
- Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper)
- Gus Atkinson
- Ollie Robinson
- Jofra Archer
- Shoaib Bashir
England’s team management has openly said they want to field their strongest possible eleven to chase a full 3-0 sweep, rather than resting key players with the series already won.
What Does the Head to Head Record Say Between Pakistan and England?
Pakistan and England have built one of Test cricket’s most competitive rivalries over the decades, with results swinging both ways depending on conditions.
| Format | Matches Played | England Wins | Pakistan Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 92 | 30 | 23 | 39 |
| ODI | 92 | 57 | 32 | 3 no result |
| T20I | 31 | 21 | 9 | 1 no result |
England hold a small edge in the overall Test record, largely built on strong home form, while Pakistan’s better results tend to come on their own soil or on turning pitches in Asia. The two sides last met at Edgbaston in a Test back in 2016, when England won by 141 runs, so history at this specific ground also leans England’s way.
What Does the Edgbaston Pitch and Weather Look Like?
Edgbaston in September usually plays differently from the peak English summer months of July and August. Cooler mornings and shorter daylight hours often help the ball swing more with the new ball, especially under overcast skies, which suits England’s pace attack of Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson and Gus Atkinson.
As the match wears on, the pitch typically flattens out a little, giving batters on both sides a chance to build partnerships, before wear and tear in the footmarks starts to help the spinners late on. Given this is the first ever September Test at this ground, there is naturally less historical data to lean on, but the general pattern at English venues this late in the season points toward seam and swing dominating early, with reverse swing and spin becoming more relevant from around day three.
Fans planning to attend in person should expect cooler temperatures than a typical August Test and should carry a jacket for the mornings and evenings.
Who Will Win the PAK vs ENG 3rd Test?
Based on squad strength, recent form, and home conditions, England are strong favorites to win this Test and complete a 3-0 series sweep. Their batting order is settled, their bowling attack has been in excellent rhythm through the first two matches, and they are playing with the freedom that comes from already having won the series.
Pakistan face a tough task. Several of their new players are stepping into Test cricket in unfamiliar English conditions, their top order has struggled for runs across the tour, and the coaching change so late in the series adds another layer of disruption right before an important match. Their best hope lies in senior batters like Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel building long innings, and their bowlers, particularly Mohammad Abbas, using any early seam movement to trouble England’s top order.
Prediction: England to win by a big margin and complete a 3-0 whitewash of the series, though Pakistan’s younger players will be looking to show enough promise to suggest a brighter future ahead.
What Records Could Fall in This Series?
A few individual numbers are worth tracking through the Edgbaston Test.
- Ollie Robinson could add to his growing tally of five wicket hauls against Pakistan if English conditions continue to suit his style.
- Joe Root has a chance to extend his lead as the top run scorer in this rivalry, already sitting well clear of most other current players.
- Babar Azam will be looking to end a difficult tour with a big score, both for personal form and to settle nerves around his recent return to the Test captaincy.
- Mohammad Abbas already has a five wicket haul at Lord’s this series and could add to his growing reputation as one of Pakistan’s most reliable seam bowlers in English conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the PAK vs ENG 3rd Test 2026 start?
The match PAK vs ENG starts on September 9, 2026, and is scheduled to run through September 13 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Where is the PAK vs ENG 3rd Test being played?
PAK vs ENG is being played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, the same ground that hosted its last Pakistan Test back in 2016.
Has the Pakistan vs England (PAK vs ENG) Test series already been decided?
Yes. England have already won the three match series 2-0 after victories at Headingley and Lord’s, so this final Test decides only whether England complete a 3-0 sweep or Pakistan avoid a whitewash.
Who is Pakistan’s captain for the 3rd Test PAK vs ENG?
Babar Azam captains Pakistan, having been reappointed as Test captain earlier in 2026 in place of Shan Masood.
Why did Pakistan make so many squad changes before the 3rd Test?
After their heavy defeat at Lord’s, the PCB released seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, and replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed with white ball coach Mike Hesson, aiming for a fresh approach for the final match.
Who is likely to win the Pakistan vs England (PAK vs ENG) 3rd Test?
England are strong favorites given their settled squad, current form, and home conditions, with a series sweep the most likely outcome.
What is the head to head Test record between Pakistan and England?
Out of 92 Test matches, England have won 30, Pakistan have won 23, and 39 matches have ended in a draw.
Where can I watch the Pakistan vs England (PAK vs ENG) 3rd Test?
The match is being broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK, and on PTV Sports and Ten Sports in Pakistan.
For live scores, ball by ball commentary and full match reports once the Test begins, head to CRIC INFO 365.
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