Harry Brook and Ben Duckett combined for a 112-run partnership as England chased down Pakistan’s total with six wickets to spare in the third T20 at Edgbaston, sealing a 2-1 series victory in front of a record bilateral crowd at the Birmingham ground.

Pakistan posted 178 for 6 after Babar Azam’s 64 anchored the innings, but Duckett’s 68 from 39 balls set the tempo before Brook finished unbeaten on 59. The hosts reached the target with an over to spare, sending a noisy Tuesday night crowd home happy after a rain-hit summer schedule.

Selection and form

England rested Jofra Archer for workload management but brought back Mark Wood, whose pace troubled Pakistan’s middle order. Declan Byrne’s sports desk said the performance eases pressure on captain Jos Buttler ahead of winter tours, though the top order still relies heavily on Duckett’s aggressive starts.

Pakistan’s tour continues with ODIs next week; their spinners struggled to contain Brook’s leg-side targeting on a true batting surface.

Ground economics

Warwickshire officials said hospitality sales for the T20 block exceeded budget, helping offset softer county championship gate receipts. The stadium’s urban location and tram links continue to draw diverse crowds compared with more suburban venues.

For fans, the result offers a bright spot before attention turns to the men’s Ashes planning cycle, where Brook’s middle-order role is increasingly central.

Bowling depth

Reece Topley’s three-wicket spell restricted Pakistan’s death overs, and Adil Rashid’s googly dismissed Mohammad Rizwan at a crucial juncture. Pakistan’s captain said the tour lacked practice time after flight delays earlier in the week, a gripe England management dismissed by pointing to identical travel schedules.

Ticket resale platforms showed prices above face value hours before toss, underscoring appetite for short-format cricket even when Test matches struggle in some counties. ECB officials will study whether midweek night games can become a regular Birmingham fixture without clashing with football seasons.

Women’s game momentum

The women’s team plays at Bristol later this month, and organisers hope Tuesday’s attendance figure helps secure sponsorship renewals across both squads. County members at Edgbaston received discounted T20 entries, a tactic Warwickshire credits with converting casual fans into annual pass holders.

Series recap

England lost the opener in Southampton before levelling in Cardiff, making Edgbaston the payoff for broadcasters sharing feed rights. Highlight clips of Duckett’s ramp shot trended within minutes, a marketing win for the ECB digital team courting younger viewers.

Pakistan promised a sharper ODI showing, with spin expected to play a larger role on slower pitches in Leeds and Bristol.