England wrapped up a 3-0 Test series whitewash against Pakistan with an eight-wicket victory at Edgbaston, though the hosts were made to work harder than expected on the fourth morning.

Entering the fourth day needing 130 runs for victory, England suffered a disastrous start. Muhammad Abbas struck with the very first ball of the morning, removing Ben Duckett for a golden duck with an edge behind, before trapping Emilio Gay leg before wicket to leave the hosts reeling at two runs for the loss of two wickets.

The tension around the ground escalated shortly afterward when Joe Root edged Mohammad Ali onto his own stumps. However, a video review revealed that the bowler had overstepped the crease, granting the England captain a major reprieve while he was on 23 runs.

Root capitalized on his good fortune and anchored the chase alongside Jordan Cox. Cox continued his impressive run of form with a polished, unbeaten 59, strengthening his case for regular selection ahead of the upcoming winter tour to South Africa.

Root finished unbeaten on 62 as the pair compiled an unbroken partnership of 128 runs to guide England across the finish line just before lunch. The triumph completed a successful transition for Root, who returned to the captaincy in June following the international retirement of Ben Stokes.

The nervy finish provided a dramatic conclusion to an eventful summer for English cricket. While England dominated the early stages of the series, Pakistan mounted a spirited fightback late in the third Test, highlighted by a fierce lower-order assault from debutant Razaullah that briefly threatened to upend the fixture.

Pakistan ultimately paid the price for a disastrous opening day that saw them bowled out for just 133 runs, despite strong subsequent batting performances from Shan Masood, Razaullah, Babar Azam, and Faisal Awais in their second innings.

For England, the series sweep marks a welcome turnaround following a difficult stretch that yielded only two wins in their previous ten Test matches. Yet, underlying concerns remain, particularly regarding the opening partnership. Both Duckett and Gay struggled for consistency throughout the summer, leaving team management with selection dilemmas to ponder.

Attention now shifts to the white-ball format as England prepares to face Sri Lanka in a series starting in Southampton. Meanwhile, incoming head coach Stephen Fleming will inherit a squad that faces stern examinations later this year during demanding overseas assignments in South Africa, Bangladesh, and Australia.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.