England’s hopes of wrapping up a series whitewash against Pakistan in just three days were shattered on the final day at Edgbaston, thanks to a spectacular late‑afternoon onslaught by 21‑year‑old debutant Razaullah. The youngster produced a whirlwind 81 runs from only 63 balls, hammering the ball over the boundary nine times and matching Tim Southee's record for most sixes on Test debut. His explosive innings turned what had been a bleak series for Pakistan into a memorable day, even though the team still trailed by two wickets when the evening session began. Razaullah’s blitz came after Pakistan’s eighth wicket fell early in the session.
He quickly forged a 121‑run partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who contributed 42 runs and added two sixes of his own before being caught at point off Josh Tongue in the final overs. The partnership not only rescued Pakistan from a precarious position but also set a target that would prove difficult for England to chase.
Razaullah’s innings was finally brought to an end – and the day’s play concluded – when he was stumped off the bowling of Dan Lawrence, who finished with figures of 2 for 17. England, having lost their composure in the closing session, now face a target of 130 runs on the fourth day.
While the requirement is higher than initially anticipated, it remains within reach, offering England a chance to claim a historic home series whitewash against Pakistan for the first time. **First Innings Summary** - Pakistan 133 all out in 33.5 overs (batting first).
Top scores: Saud Shakeel 43, Mohammad Abbas 21. England bowlers: Josh Tongue 4‑42, Ollie Robinson 3‑15, Jofra Archer 3‑25. - England 453 all out in 89 overs. Key contributions: Harry Brook 75, Jamie Smith 69, Dan Lawrence 65, Emilio Gay 60, Ollie Robinson 50.
Pakistan bowler Razaullah claimed 4 wickets for 148 runs. **Second Innings Summary** - Pakistan 449 all out in 96.4 overs, leading by 129 runs.
Highlights: Shan Masood 95, Razaullah 81 (63 balls), Babar Azam 76, Azan Awais 59. England bowler Gus Atkinson took 3‑109. The Pakistani batting line‑up missed out on potential centuries, with both Shan Masood and Babar Azam falling short of the 100‑run mark.
Masood was dismissed via a spectacular one‑handed diving catch by England’s Dan Lawrence in the slips, while Babar walked into a well‑planned short‑ball trap set by the hosts just as tea was called, a dismissal that left many spectators bewildered. After the fall of four wickets for just 40 runs, it appeared that Pakistan’s resistance was collapsing.
Yet Razaullah had other ideas. He reignited the innings with a series of massive swings, pushing the contest into a fourth day. When the third day resumed, Pakistan were 52 for 2, having added a modest 15 runs in a calm opening spell of 7.2 overs.
The momentum shifted dramatically as they rattled off 117 runs in the next 20 balls, only losing Azan Awais (59) to a delicate edge caught behind by Lawrence. England’s four‑man pace attack, which had struggled to make inroads throughout the series, finally found some rhythm after the lunch break.
Gus Atkinson delivered a particularly impressive eight‑over spell, picking up his second wicket of the series by dismissing Masood, who fell to a brilliant catch by Lawrence in the slips. Babar Azam, poised for what could have been his first Test hundred in nearly four years, fell victim to a short‑ball barrage from Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.
Despite repeated warnings, Babar attempted to play the bouncer and was caught gloving one behind, ending his innings at 76. Tongue, who finished with figures of 2‑106, claimed Babar’s wicket, while Archer (1‑120) later removed Saud Shakeel (29) with another short‑ball that was only managed as a lofted shot to short‑leg. Two spectacular catches by Jordan Cox behind the stumps completed the dismissals of debutants Ghazi Ghori (16) and Mohammad Imran (4), both caught off Atkinson’s deliveries. Razaullah’s all‑round performance was a revelation.
Not only had he taken four wickets in England’s first innings – including the prized scalp of leading run‑scorer Joe Root with his very first ball – but he also delivered an extraordinary batting display that propelled Pakistan to a 129‑run lead. His innings was punctuated by drama when an lbw appeal against Lawrence was overturned on review, only for Razaullah to be dismissed on the very next delivery, ending the day’s play.
Speaking to Sky Sports Cricket after his rapid 81, Razaullah said, “I just had to bat, you are the ones who got to enjoy it. I was planning to take it longer and deeper – 81 runs is not bad though. I was just trying to support the other batters and take it as deep as possible. There was never a moment when I wasn’t enjoying it or felt scared.
I won’t give any messages to the batters – they can do their bit – but I really, really enjoyed it. I wanted the strike and tried to keep it as long as possible to give Pakistan another day.” Urooj Mumtaz of Sky Sports Cricket added, “That was simply sensational – a perfectly written first chapter of his Test career.
All that passion, the flair of Pakistan cricket. A 21‑year‑old who wasn’t even on the squad list gets on the plane, receives his baggy green, takes Joe Root’s wicket, records a four‑for on debut and then scores 81 with nine sixes. Everyone at Edgbaston was on their feet.
He arrived with no baggage, just the spark, energy and exuberance of youth that any team needs. He smiled, never looked overwhelmed, and seemed to believe in himself. If anyone likes to bet, after today’s performance that dimming light has been reignited again.
Razaullah gives Pakistan a different dimension with his pace, and they will have to have faith in him.” England will now aim to chase down the modest target of 130 on day four, a task that, while challenging, remains achievable. A successful chase would secure a historic home series whitewash against Pakistan, a first in the annals of English cricket.
The fourth day promises further drama, with both sides eager to finish the contest on a high note.