England win 1st Test series against Pakistan in 10 years, draws 3rd test

Southampton:England's veteran pacer James Anderson became the first pacer to scalp 600 wickets in Test cricket before the third and final test against Pakistan ended in a draw on Tuesday and English team sealed the 3-match series 1-0.

Rain washed out much of the final day at Southampton as the last Test ended in a draw, but enough time was left for Anderson to claim his 600th Test wicket.

Play eventually began just over five hours after the scheduled start, with Azhar Ali and Babar Azam resuming for Pakistan.

Jofra Archer opened the day's bowling with lots of short-pitched bowling, with Anderson beginning at the other end as he sought his 600th Test wicket.

Pakistan were not able to hold him at bay for long, however, as England's leading wicket-taker dismissed Azhar Ali for 31, to complete his tally of 600 Test victims.

In a 17-year-old glorious Test career, the England pacer is now only behind former spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708) and Anil Kumble (619).

Anderson had surpassed Australian legend Glenn McGrath's 563 Test wickets in 2018 during the fifth Test against India at The Oval in 2018. Courtney Walsh (519) and his bowling partner Stuart Broad (511) are the only pacers with more than 500 Test scalps.

England won the series 1-0, with its three-wicket victory in the first test in Manchester followed by two drawn tests in Southampton. It was a first series triumph over Pakistan since 2010 and a second of the summer after beating the West Indies 2-1.

Pakistan was 187-4 when the teams settled on a draw, with 27.1 overs bowled on Tuesday. Babar Azam was 63 not out. The first two sessions were washed out because of heavy overnight rain and wet outfield.

After this win, England are four points behind Australia in the World Test Championship, while Pakistan remained in 5th place behind New Zealand.

Brief scores: Eng 583/8 d;  Pak 273 & 187/4 (f/o) (UNI)