England Stick with Tongue and Duckett for Final Test Against Pakistan

England have resisted any temptation to tinker. With the series already sealed, the selectors have kept faith with Josh Tongue and Ben Duckett for the third and final Rothesay Test of the summer against Pakistan at Edgbaston.

Two emphatic wins at Headingley and Lord’s have put England out of sight. Now comes the chance to finish with a flourish: a 3–0 sweep and a statement end to the 2026 home programme when the final Test begins on Wednesday 9 September in Birmingham.

Tongue leads ruthless attack

No one has done more to demand retention than Tongue. The seamer has ripped through Pakistan’s batting across the first two Tests, taking 13 wickets at a remarkable average of 12.46. His standout burst came in Leeds, where he claimed 5 for 46 and broke the game open with pace and precision.

He remains at the heart of an England bowling unit that has hunted in a pack, squeezing Pakistan with relentless discipline and regular breakthroughs. Edgbaston now offers him a stage to cap a breakout series.

Duckett–Gay opening pair backed again

At the top of the order, Duckett keeps his place and will once more walk out alongside Emilio Gay. The left-handed pair stay together after England’s 194-run victory at Lord’s, a win that underlined the side’s control of the series and persuaded the selectors there was no need for disruption.

England have named an unchanged 15-man squad from that London success, underlining a clear message: same group, same intent, one more push.

Unchanged squad for Edgbaston finale

Joe Root continues as captain, leading a squad that blends established quality with emerging talent:

• Joe Root (Yorkshire, captain)
• Jofra Archer (Sussex)
• Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
• Sonny Baker (Hampshire)
• Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire)
• Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
• Sam Cook (Essex)
• Jordan Cox (Essex)
• Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
• Emilio Gay (Durham)
• Dan Lawrence (Surrey)
• Ollie Pope (Surrey)
• Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
• Jamie Smith (Surrey)

Series won, momentum intact, squad settled. All that remains at Edgbaston is the answer to a simple question: can England finish a dominant summer with the perfect scoreline?