Former Pakistan captain Urooj Mumtaz showered praise on the young sensation Razaullah, declaring that he had authored the "perfect chapter" to lift a faltering Pakistani side after his breathtaking 81 runs off 63 balls against England on the third day at Edgbaston. The 21‑year‑old, who had featured in only eight first‑class matches before this test, unleashed a barrage of nine sixes in his innings, matching Tim Southee's record for the most sixes by a debutant in Test cricket. His explosive knock was forged in a 121‑run stand with veteran bowler Mohammad Abbas, who contributed 42, and together they propelled Pakistan to a formidable total of 449, leaving England with a modest chase of 130. Razaullah's impact was not confined to the bat.
On his very first Test, he also claimed four wickets in England's first innings, dismissing captain Joe Root among his victims. This all‑round display proved decisive, rescuing Pakistan from a precarious position of 318 for 8 with just two runs in hand when he walked to the crease. His aggressive stroke‑play and disciplined bowling forced the match into a fourth day, a scenario that seemed unlikely before his arrival.
"His innings was simply sensational," Mumtaz remarked on Sky Sports. "A perfectly written first chapter of his Test career.
All that passion, the flair of Pakistan cricket!" She went on to highlight the fairy‑tale nature of his debut: "A 21‑year‑old who wasn't even on the original list gets on the plane, receives his baggy green, then takes the wicket of Joe Root, snags a four‑fer on debut, and smashes 81 runs with nine sixes. All of Edgbaston and all of Pakistan were on their feet!" Mumtaz also underscored the resilience Razaullah displayed amid an off‑field crisis 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.
"He showed the beauty of Pakistan and their raw talent – even he doesn't know what he's capable of!" she said. "He arrived fresh, with no baggage. Yes, he already has a first‑class hundred in dramatic fashion, but his hand speed is blistering; he tears through the ball. He plants himself deep in the crease and almost none of his boundaries are mis‑hits – every six was a monster.
That's the spark, the energy, the exuberance of youth that you are looking for. He smiled, never seemed overwhelmed, and almost seemed to believe in what he was doing." When asked to translate his thoughts for Sky Sports, Razaullah, speaking in Urdu, summed up his mindset: "I just had to bat, you are the ones who get to enjoy it! I was planning to take it longer and deeper – 81 runs is not bad though! The ball was in my slot – I was eyeing it up, trying to support the other batters and hit as deep as possible – I broke both my bats and wore down my third.
There was never a moment when I didn't enjoy it or felt scared. I wanted the strike, and overall I wanted to keep it as long as possible to give Pakistan another day." Mumtaz also lauded Abbas's contribution, noting that the seasoned bowler posted his highest Test score ever during the partnership. She refused to rule out a miraculous turnaround for Pakistan, saying, "To put a youngster in to bat with a stalwart like Mohammad Abbas, who is now on the honours board at Lord's after an eight‑year gap between fifers, is a statement of intent. Abbas said, 'I'm not just a seam bowler – I'm going to hit a few down the ground,' and he delivered!
It all amalgamates to show what could have happened if Pakistan had the temperament, flair, and technique to back it up for the twelve‑odd days of cricket we've had." Looking ahead, Mumtaz offered a hopeful perspective: "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 what will happen. Razaullah had a four‑fer on debut in England's first innings, and he provides a point of difference with pace.
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." The third Test at Edgbaston continues to capture the imagination of cricket fans worldwide, with day four scheduled to start at 10:15 am on Saturday, broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket.
For those without a Sky subscription, recent deals and streaming options on NOW provide alternative access. Pakistan's resurgence, sparked by Razaullah's dazzling debut, has injected fresh optimism into a side that many had written off, suggesting that the narrative of this series may still hold unexpected twists and a possible revival for the Pakistani team.