Three Tests, six innings, 20 runs: Pakistan openers register worst Test series in 35 years against England

Pakistan's Saim Ayub (AP Photo)Three opening combinations, no 10-run standTest Opening Pair 1st Innings 2nd Innings 1st Test, Headingly Azan Awais & Imam-ul-Haq 0 0 2nd Test, Lord's Azan Awais & Shan Masood 5 7 3rd Test, Edgbaston Azan Awais & Saim Ayub 8 0 Total 13 7Awais fights alone at the topJoin conversation View All Comments → Share your thoughts in the comments Post Comment Be respectful · TOI community guidelinesAnother unwanted record at EdgbastonPakistan's opening batters endured a disastrous Test series against England, combining for just 20 runs across six opening partnerships in the three-match series, their joint-worst performance in 35 years. The youngster scored 129 runs in six innings at an average of 21.50, but received almost no support from his partners. Imam-ul-Haq managed scores of 42 and 0, Shan Masood made 1 and 26, while Saim Ayub returned 0 and 0 in his two innings as an opener.The repeated early dismissals left Pakistan's middle order under pressure almost immediately.Pakistan's problems at the top were part of a much wider batting collapse in the third Test. In the first innings at Edgbaston, Pakistan were bowled out for just 133, with their top five batters all dismissed for single-digit scores. It was the first time a team had lost all of its top five wickets for single-digit scores in the first innings of a Test in England.

Source: Times of India September 11, 2026 15:27 UTC