Razaullah’s six-hitting debut caps Pakistan’s fightback against England
Debutant fast bowler Razaullah smashed an unbeaten 81 off 63 balls, including nine sixes, to power Pakistan’s late recovery as they were all out with a second-innings lead of 130 at the close of day three of the third Test at Edgbaston. The late ninth-wicket stand with Mohammad Abbas took the total to 439-9 before Razaullah was stumped, leaving England requiring 130 to complete a 3-0 series sweep on Saturday.
Why It Matters
Razaullah’s unexpected counterattack significantly lengthened the match and denied England an immediate series-clinching victory, forcing a further day of play after they had dominated much of the Test. The innings also highlighted Pakistan’s resilience after a difficult series that included wholesale squad changes and the sacking of their coaching staff earlier in the week.
Key Facts
- Match: Third Test, Edgbaston, day three (close)
- Pakistan second-innings lead at close: 130
- Razaullah (debut): 81 off 63 balls, four fours, nine sixes
- Razaullah earlier contribution: Took four wickets in England’s first innings
- Mohammad Abbas (ninth-wicket partnership): 42; ninth-wicket stand of 121 with Razaullah
Pakistan produced a late surge on day three at Edgbaston as debutant paceman Razaullah launched a powerful innings that prolonged the third Test. The tourists were bowled out with a second-innings lead of 130 at stumps after Razaullah clubbed 81 off 63 deliveries, clearing the ropes nine times and adding four boundaries. His fireworks, shared with Mohammad Abbas, pushed Pakistan’s score from 318-8 to 439-9 before the close.
The recovery followed earlier contributions from Shan Masood and captain Babar Azam, who made 95 and 76 respectively as Pakistan passed 200 in an innings for the first time in the series. Pakistan had been following on after conceding a 320-run first-innings deficit; England had posted 453 after bowling Pakistan out for 133 on day one. Azan Awais and Masood put on 125 for the second wicket before Awais fell to Dan Lawrence, and Masood was later dismissed at 95 when Gus Atkinson induced a slip catch by Dan Lawrence.
The late rally was forged after a series of mid-innings dismissals — Saud Shakeel was out to a Jofra Archer bouncer and several catches by stand-in wicketkeeper Jordan Cox removed other middle-order batsmen. With the tail looking close to folding, Abbas and Razaullah produced 121 for the ninth wicket. Abbas, whose previous Test best was 29, struck aggressively to reach 42 before being caught off Josh Tongue, ending the partnership.
Razaullah’s assault featured a burst of three sixes off Atkinson and a rapid fifty taken off 43 balls, including back-to-back maximums off Archer. He survived an LBW review late in the day but was stumped by Cox off Dan Lawrence’s bowling for 81, receiving applause as he left the ground. England now need 130 on Saturday to seal a 3-0 series victory after earlier wins by an innings and 103 runs and by 194 runs. Pakistan made several changes for this match following the release of seven players and the sacking of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul after the second Test.
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