Former Pakistan captain Urooj Mumtaz praised the young all‑rounder Razaullah, declaring that his explosive 81‑run knock off 63 balls on day three at Edgbaston was the "perfect chapter" to breathe new life into a side that had been floundering. The 21‑year‑old, who had only eight first‑class games under his belt before his debut, smashed nine sixes in that innings, equalling the record set by Tim Southee for the most sixes by a Test debutant. His aggressive display came in a vital 121‑run partnership with veteran bowler Mohammad Abbas, who contributed a quick‑fire 42.
Together they propelled Pakistan to a formidable 449, leaving England with a modest target of 130. Razaullah's impact was not limited to his batting.
With the ball he claimed four wickets in England's first innings, dismissing the opposition captain Joe Root as his maiden Test scalp. The combination of a rapid half‑century and a four‑fer made him the standout performer of the match and essentially forced the game into a fourth day, a scenario that seemed unlikely when Pakistan were eight wickets down for 318.
Mumtaz, speaking on Sky Sports, described the innings as "simply sensational" and said it was "a perfectly written first chapter of his Test career, full of the passion and flair that define Pakistan cricket." He highlighted the improbable nature of the story: a 21‑year‑old who was not even on the original squad list arrived on the plane, received his baggy green, dismissed the England captain, took four wickets, and then blasted nine sixes to reach 81. "All of Edgbaston and all of Pakistan were on their feet," Mumtaz added. The young cricketer's performance was even more remarkable given the turmoil surrounding the Pakistan camp.
The team had endured a chaotic off‑field period that saw seven changes to the touring squad and the dismissal of the head coach after two heavy defeats at the start of the series. Despite these distractions, Razaullah displayed the raw talent and unbridled energy that Mumtaz believes epitomise Pakistani cricket.
"He shows the beauty of Pakistan and their raw talent – even he doesn't know what he's capable of," the former captain said. "He arrived with no baggage, a first‑class hundred in dramatic fashion, and a hand speed that ripped through the ball." Mumtaz also noted Razaullah's technical approach: he tends to plant his feet deep in the crease, and almost none of his boundaries are mis‑hits. "All of his sixes were monsters," Mumtaz observed, adding that the youngster's smile and confidence suggested he was not overwhelmed by the occasion but rather embraced it.
"He almost looked like he believed," the former captain remarked, emphasizing the importance of that belief for a team in need of a morale boost. When asked about his own innings, Razaullah, speaking through a translator to Sky Sports in Urdu, said, "I just had to bat, you are the ones who get to enjoy it!" He explained that he had intended to play a longer, more measured innings, but the situation demanded aggression. "Eighty‑one runs is not bad though!
The ball was in my slot – I was eyeing it and trying to support the other batters, taking it as deep as possible. I even broke two bats and wore down a third," he laughed. He added that there was never a moment when he felt fear or hesitation; he simply wanted to keep the strike and give Pakistan another day.
Mumtaz also lauded Abbas's contribution, noting that the veteran bowler recorded his highest Test score in the same partnership. "To put a youngster in with a stalwart like Mohammad Abbas, who is now on the honours board at Lord's after an eight‑year gap between fifties, shows the blend of youth and experience," Mumtaz said. Abbas himself admitted he wanted to hit a few balls down the ground, and he delivered, further solidifying the partnership.
Looking ahead, Mumtaz refused to rule out a miraculous turnaround for Pakistan. He suggested that the spark provided by Razaullah could reignite belief across the squad. "If anyone is a betting person, after what's happened today it's almost like that dimming light has been ignited again," he said. He emphasized that the team must now absorb the lessons, watch footage, and return with renewed hope.
"They'll have to believe – there will have to be words of wisdom – and also know that there's not too much to be said. They can leave it at that, watch some tapes and come back tomorrow with hope," Mumtaz concluded. The third Test at Edgbaston continues to capture the imagination of cricket fans worldwide.
With Razaullah's debut performance providing a dramatic narrative twist, many are now watching to see whether Pakistan can harness this momentum and mount a genuine comeback in the series. The match will resume on day four, and fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Cricket or via streaming options such as NOW, ensuring that the excitement generated by this "perfect chapter" reaches a global audience.