England’s hopes of wrapping up a series sweep against Pakistan in just three days were shattered by a spectacular late‑day onslaught from 21‑year‑old debutant Razaullah. The young all‑rounder turned the tide on Friday evening, unleashing a flurry of sixes that not only rescued Pakistan from a precarious position but also forced the hosts into a much tougher chase on the final day. The match at Edgbaston had been dominated by England for most of the first two innings, with the visitors posting a massive 453 in 89 overs thanks to a quartet of half‑centuries – Harry Brook (75), Jamie Smith (69), Dan Lawrence (65) and Emilio Gay (60) – while Pakistan were bundled out for 133 in just 33.5 overs. England’s bowlers, particularly Josh Tongue (4‑42) and Ollie Robinson (3‑15), capitalised on the early wickets, and even Razaullah, making his debut with the ball, claimed four wickets, including the prized scalp of England’s leading run‑scorer Joe Root.
In the second innings Pakistan posted a respectable 449, taking a 129‑run lead. Shan Masood (95) and Babar Azam (76) anchored the innings, but both missed chances to convert their knocks into centuries. Masood was caught in the slips by Dan Lawrence after a spectacular diving catch, while Babar fell to a short‑ball trap set by England just after tea, a dismissal that left many scratching their heads. When the eighth wicket fell early in the evening session, Pakistan seemed on the brink of collapse.
The score was precarious, and the momentum appeared to be shifting back to England. Yet, Razaullah stepped in with the bat and delivered a performance that will be remembered for years.
He smashed 81 runs off just 63 balls, striking nine sixes – a tally that matches Tim Southee’s record for the most sixes by a debutant in Test cricket. His blitz was built on a 121‑run partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who contributed a quick‑fire 42 and added two sixes of his own before being dismissed. Razaullah’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive, yet controlled, stroke‑play. After a cautious start, he accelerated dramatically, hitting 117 runs in a 20‑ball spell that included a series of towering boundaries.
His ability to find the gaps and clear the ropes repeatedly put England’s bowlers under immense pressure. Even when an lbw appeal against him was turned down after a review, he was dismissed the very next ball, ending the day’s play with a stumping by Lawrence (2‑17). The impact of his innings extended beyond the runs. It forced England to rethink their chase, now facing a target of 130 on the final day – a modest figure on paper but one that became considerably more daunting after Razaullah’s fireworks.
England’s bowlers, who had not enjoyed such a taxing session throughout the series, were left to regroup. Gus Atkinson’s eight‑over spell after lunch was a highlight, as he finally claimed his second wicket of the series, removing Masood with a brilliant catch by Lawrence in the slips. Babar’s dismissal soon followed, falling to a well‑timed bouncer from Jofra Archer.
Archer, who had already troubled the Pakistani batsmen with short‑ball tactics, claimed Babar’s wicket after a brief review. The partnership between Masood and Babar, which had seemed poised to push Pakistan well beyond the 200‑run mark, was abruptly halted, underscoring the volatility of Test cricket.
Fielding brilliance also featured prominently. Jordan Cox took two spectacular catches behind the stumps, dismissing debutants Ghazi Ghori and Mohammad Imran, while the English pace attack, despite a relatively quiet spell, managed to keep the pressure on with disciplined lines and lengths. When the dust settled, Razaullah’s performance was celebrated not only for its raw power but also for the composure he displayed under pressure. In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Cricket, he reflected on his approach: “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 sensation: “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 you are looking for.
He didn’t look overwhelmed by the occasion; he almost seemed to believe. 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.” With the series now heading into a decisive fourth day, England will need to chase down the revised target while coping with the psychological lift Pakistan has gained from Razaullah’s heroics. The match promises to be a thrilling finale, and fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:15 am on Saturday.