England’s hopes of wrapping up a series sweep against Pakistan within three days of the final Test at Edgbaston were shattered by an extraordinary six‑hitting display from 21‑year‑old Razaullah on Friday evening. Pakistan, who had endured a largely bleak series, managed to carve out their most dominant day of the contest, even though they were still two wickets down when the evening session began.

Razaullah responded by blasting 81 runs off just 63 balls, dispatching the ball over the boundary nine times and matching Tim Southee’s debut record for sixes in a first‑class innings. His explosive innings was built around a 121‑run partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who contributed 42 runs and struck two sixes of his own before being dismissed by Josh Tongue, caught at point in the final overs.

Razaullah’s on‑field fireworks came to an abrupt end when he was stumped off the bowling of Dan Lawrence (2‑17), which also marked the close of the day’s play. England, having lost focus in the final session, now face a target of 130 runs on day four – a far steeper chase than the early calculations suggested. Nevertheless, the visitors still have a realistic chance of completing what would be the first ever home series whitewash of Pakistan.

**First innings figures** - Pakistan 133 all out (33.5 overs): Saud Shakeel 43, Mohammad Abbas 21; England bowlers – Josh Tongue 4‑42, Ollie Robinson 3‑15, Jofra Archer 3‑25. - England 453 all out (89 overs): Harry Brook 75, Jamie Smith 69, Dan Lawrence 65, Emilio Gay 60, Ollie Robinson 50; Pakistan bowler – Razaullah 4‑148. **Second innings figures** - Pakistan 449 all out (96.4 overs), leading by 129 runs: Shan Masood 95, Razaullah 81 (63 balls), Babar Azam 76, Azan Awais 59; England bowler – Gus Atkinson 3‑109. Both Shan Masood (95) and Babar Azam (76) missed chances to notch the first century of the series, with Masood falling to a spectacular one‑handed diving catch by Dan Lawrence in the slips, while Babar walked into a well‑planned short‑ball trap set by England just as tea was called.

The wicket of Babar seemed to signal the end of Pakistan’s resistance, as four wickets fell for just 40 runs. Yet Razaullah had other ideas. After a cautious start to the third day – 52‑2 with only 15 runs added in the first 7.2 overs – Pakistan surged, hammering 117 runs in the next 20 balls.

The only blemish in that onslaught was the dismissal of Azan Awais (59), caught off a faint edge to Lawrence’s leg‑side. 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 blistering eight‑over spell, claiming his second wicket of the series by dismissing Masood, who was again caught by Lawrence in the slips.

Babar, who was on the cusp of a long‑awaited Test hundred – his first in nearly four years – fell to a well‑executed bouncer from Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue. Despite repeated warnings, he could not resist the short ball, and Tongue (2‑106) eventually trapped him, gloving a catch behind the stumps. Archer (1‑120) then removed Saud Shakeel (29) with another short‑ball that rose only to a short‑leg fielder, while Jordan Cox produced two spectacular catches to dismiss debutants Ghazi Ghori (16) and Mohammad Imran (4). Atkinson (3‑109) continued to probe, finding edges both inside and outside the off‑stump.

Razaullah’s impact was not limited to his bowling – he had already taken four first‑innings wickets, including England’s leading run‑scorer Joe Root in his very first over. His batting heroics added a further layer to his debut, propelling Pakistan to a 129‑run lead. Late in the day, an lbw decision against Lawrence was overturned on review, only for Razaullah to be dismissed on the very next ball, ending the day’s action.

In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Cricket, the young all‑rounder reflected on his innings: "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 provide support for the other batters and trying to take it as deep as possible. There was no point at which I didn't enjoy it or when I was scared.

I won't give any messages to the batters – they can do their bit – but I really, really enjoyed it. I was wanting the strike, and overall I wanted to keep the strike as long as possible to get Pakistan another day." Sky Sports Cricket analyst Urooj Mumtaz summed up the performance: "That was simply sensational. A perfectly written first chapter of his Test career.

All that passion, the flair of Pakistan cricket. One 21‑year‑old who wasn't even on the squad list gets on the plane, receives his baggy green, and takes Joe Root’s wicket in his first over, finishes with four wickets on debut, then scores 81 with nine sixes – the whole of Edgbaston was on its feet. He arrived with no baggage, bringing the spark, energy, and exuberance of youth that teams crave. He smiled, never looked overwhelmed, and seemed to believe in his role.

If anyone is betting, after today’s display it feels like a dimming light has been reignited. Razaullah gives Pakistan a new dimension with his pace, and they will have to believe in that.

The fourth day of the third Test will commence at 10:15 am on Saturday, broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket. Viewers without a Sky subscription can explore the latest Sky Sports deals or stream via NOW without a contract.

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