England’s hopes of wrapping up a series whitewash against Pakistan in just three days were shattered by an extraordinary batting display from 21‑year‑old debutant Razaullah on Friday evening. After Pakistan had enjoyed what was arguably the best day of an otherwise bleak tour, they still found themselves two wickets down early in the evening session when Razaullah stormed in. In just 63 balls he rattled 81 runs, launching the ball over the boundary nine times – a feat that put him level with Tim Southee’s record for the most sixes by a player on Test debut. Razaullah’s 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, who took a point off the bowler in the final overs of the day.
The partnership was finally broken when Razaullah was caught stumped off the bowling of Dan Lawrence (2‑17), bringing an end to both his innings and the day’s play. England, who appeared to lose their way in the final session, now face a target of 130 runs on the fourth day – a more demanding chase than many had anticipated but still within reach if they can recover their composure and execute their game plan. A successful chase would secure England’s first ever home series whitewash of Pakistan. **First innings scores** - 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 scores** - 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. - England will now need 130 to win. The Pakistani batting line‑up had several chances to push the total even higher, but both Shan Masood (95) and Babar Azam (76) fell short of the series’ first century.
Masood was dismissed via a spectacular one‑handed diving catch by Dan Lawrence in the slips, while Babar’s wicket came from a short‑ball trap set by England at tea, a decision that raised eyebrows among commentators. After Pakistan’s lower order collapsed, losing four wickets for just 40 runs, Razaullah turned the tide.
On the fourth day, with Pakistan at 52‑2, the innings began cautiously, adding only 15 runs in the first 7.2 overs. Then the tempo shifted dramatically as the pair of Razaullah and Abbas unleashed a 117‑run onslaught in just 20 balls, only the wicket of Azan Awais (caught behind by Lawrence) interrupting their flow.
England’s four‑man pace attack, which had struggled for breakthroughs throughout the series, finally found rhythm after the lunch break. Gus Atkinson delivered a blistering eight‑over spell, claiming his second wicket of the series by dismissing Masood, again caught by Lawrence. Babar Azam, poised for a maiden Test hundred after a long wait, fell to a well‑executed bouncer from Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue, unable to negotiate the short ball despite repeated warnings.
Tongue finished with figures of 2‑106, securing Babar’s wicket, while Archer added 1‑120, removing Saud Shakeel (29) shortly after tea with another aggressive short‑delivery that forced a short‑leg fumble. Jordan Cox contributed two spectacular catches behind the stumps, dismissing debutants Ghazi Ghori (16) and Mohammad Imran (4) as Atkinson’s variations induced edges both inside and outside. Razaullah’s impact was not limited to his batting. In the first innings he had already taken four wickets, including the prized scalp of England’s leading run‑scorer Joe Root with his very first delivery.
His all‑round performance – four wickets and a rapid 81‑run knock – propelled Pakistan to a 129‑run lead, a margin that now puts England under pressure to chase a modest target on the final day. Late in the day, drama continued when an LBW appeal against Lawrence was overturned on review, only for Razaullah to be dismissed on the very next ball, ending the day’s play. After his innings, Razaullah spoke to Sky Sports Cricket: "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 give Pakistan another day." Sky Sports commentator Urooj Mumtaz added her perspective: "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 in his first over, finishes with a four‑for on debut and then scores 81 with nine sixes – the entire Edgbaston crowd were on their feet. He arrived with no baggage, just raw energy and exuberance of youth.
He smiled, never looked overwhelmed, and seemed to believe in himself. If anyone is betting, after today it feels like a new light has been ignited for Pakistan. Razaullah gives Pakistan a different dimension with his pace and power, and they will have to have faith in his abilities." The fourth day of the third Test will commence at 10:15 am on Saturday, with England needing to chase down 130 runs to complete a historic home series sweep.
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