England’s hopes of sweeping the series against Pakistan in just three days were shattered after a spectacular late‑afternoon display by 21‑year‑old debutant Razaullah. The young all‑rounder unleashed an explosive innings of 81 runs from only 63 balls, striking the boundary nine times and matching Tim Southee's record for the most sixes on Test debut. His heroics turned what had been a bleak series for Pakistan into a fleeting moment of brilliance, though the team still found themselves two wickets down early in the evening session before Razaullah’s onslaught. The partnership between Razaullah and Mohammad Abbas was a crucial 121‑run stand.
Abbas contributed 42 runs and even hit a couple of sixes before being dismissed by Josh Tongue, who claimed a point‑catch in the final overs of the day. Razaullah’s innings was brought to an abrupt end when he was stumped off the bowling of Dan Lawrence (2‑17), which also marked the close of play for the day. England, having lost their composure in the final session, now face a target of 130 runs on the fourth day. While the requirement is higher than initially expected, it remains within reach, and a successful chase would secure the first ever home series whitewash of Pakistan.
**First innings summary** - Pakistan 133 all out in 33.5 overs (batting first): 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: Harry Brook 75, Jamie Smith 69, Dan Lawrence 65, Emilio Gay 60, Ollie Robinson 50; Pakistan bowler Razaullah 4‑148.
**Second innings summary** - Pakistan 449 all out in 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. The Pakistani batting line‑up missed the chance to post a century, with both Shan Masood (95) and Babar Azam (76) falling short. Masood was caught spectacularly by Dan Lawrence in the slips, diving low with a one‑handed grab, while Babar’s dismissal was more puzzling – the captain walked into a short‑ball trap set by England just as tea was called.
After the fall of four wickets for 40 runs, it appeared Pakistan’s resistance was collapsing. Yet Razaullah had other plans. Resuming on the third morning at 52‑2, the visitors were cautious, adding only 15 runs in a slow 7.2‑over opening spell. Suddenly, they surged, hammering 117 runs in the next 20 overs.
The only blemish in that burst was the dismissal of Azan Awais (59), caught off a feather‑edged leg‑glance 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 an impressive eight‑over spell, claiming his second wicket of the series by dismissing Masood, who fell to a brilliant catch by Lawrence in the slips. Babar Azam, who was on the verge of his first Test century in nearly four years, was later trapped by a short‑ball barrage from Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.
Tongue eventually dismissed him (2‑106), while Archer (1‑120) removed Saud Shakeel (29) with another well‑timed short ball. Jordan Cox contributed two stunning catches behind the stumps, taking the edges of debutants Ghazi Ghori (16) and Mohammad Imran (4).
Meanwhile, Razaullah, who had already impressed with the ball by taking four first‑innings wickets – including England’s leading run‑scorer Joe Root in his very first over – turned the tables with the bat. His aggressive stroke‑play not only gave Pakistan a 129‑run lead but also injected excitement into a match that had seemed destined for a routine England victory. A dramatic moment unfolded when an lbw decision against Lawrence was overturned on review, only for Razaullah to be dismissed on the very next delivery, ending the day’s play.
In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Cricket, the young star 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 commentator 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 and gets his baggy green – Joe Root is his first Test wicket, a four‑for on debut, and then 81 with nine sixes – all of Edgbaston and all of Pakistan were on their feet.
He's come off the plane and has absolutely no baggage. That's the spark, the energy, the exuberance of youth that you are looking for. There was a smile on his face and he was not overwhelmed by the occasion. He didn't look in awe of it – he almost looked like he believed.
If anyone is a betting person, after what's happened today, it's almost like that dimming light has been ignited again. You never know. Razaullah provides Pakistan a point of difference with pace, and they'll have to believe." The fourth day promises a tense chase for England. They will need to navigate a target of 130 runs, a modest total on paper but one that will test their nerves after a day of dramatic swings.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:15 am on Saturday, with streaming options available for those without a Sky subscription.