England’s hopes of sweeping the three‑match Test series against Pakistan were shattered in dramatic fashion on the final day at Edgbaston, thanks to an explosive innings from 21‑year‑old debutant Razaullah. After a day that saw Pakistan recover from a precarious position, the youngster’s six‑hitting display turned the match on its head and forced England into a chase that was far more demanding than the original target of 130 runs.
The day began with Pakistan in a delicate situation. Their eighth wicket fell early in the evening session, leaving them two runs behind the required total. At that juncture, Razaullah stepped in and produced a blitz of 81 runs off just 63 deliveries. His assault featured nine towering sixes, a feat that matched the record set by Tim Southee for the most sixes by a debutant in Test cricket.
Razaullah’s innings was built on a solid 121‑run partnership with fellow bowler Mohammad Abbas, who contributed 42 runs and struck two sixes of his own before being dismissed by a sharp catch at point off Josh Tongue in the final overs of the day. The partnership not only steadied Pakistan’s innings but also shifted the momentum firmly in their favour. Razaullah’s fireworks came to an end when he was stumped by Dan Lawrence, who finished with figures of 2‑17, but his impact had already been felt. England, having lost their composure in the final session, now faced a revised target of 130 runs on the fourth day – a target that looked more formidable than initially anticipated, yet still within reach for a side that had previously posted a massive 453 in their first innings.
A successful chase would have secured England’s first ever home series whitewash over Pakistan. The match statistics provide a snapshot of the roller‑coaster nature of the contest. In Pakistan’s first innings, they were bowled out for 133 in 33.5 overs, with contributions from Saud Shakeel (43) and Mohammad Abbas (21). England’s bowlers, particularly Josh Tongue (4‑42), Ollie Robinson (3‑15), and Jofra Archer (3‑25), made the most of the conditions.
England’s reply was dominant, amassing 453 runs in 89 overs, highlighted by half‑centuries from Harry Brook (75), Jamie Smith (69), Dan Lawrence (65), Emilio Gay (60) and Ollie Robinson (50). Razaullah also made his mark with the ball, taking 4‑148.
In the second innings, Pakistan posted 449 all out in 96.4 overs, taking a lead of 129 runs. Shan Masood (95) and Babar Azam (76) provided solid foundations, while Razaullah’s rapid 81 propelled the side beyond the initial deficit. England’s Gus Atkinson claimed 3‑109, but the visitors’ batting surge proved decisive. Both Masood and Babar missed chances to convert their starts into centuries.
Masood was dismissed via a spectacular one‑handed diving catch by Dan Lawrence in the slips, while Babar fell to a short‑ball trap set by England just after tea, a dismissal that raised eyebrows given its simplicity. After the fall of four wickets for 40 runs, it appeared Pakistan’s resistance was waning.
However, Razaullah had other ideas. When the third day resumed, Pakistan were 52‑2 with a modest 15 runs added in the first 7.2 overs. The innings then exploded: 117 runs were scored in the next 20 deliveries, punctuated by the wicket of Azan Awais (59), who edged a feather‑light delivery down leg to Lawrence. England’s four‑pronged pace attack, which had struggled to make inroads throughout the series, finally found some rhythm after the lunch break.
Gus Atkinson delivered a potent eight‑over spell, claiming his second wicket of the series by dismissing Masood, again caught by Lawrence. Babar Azam, on the brink of a maiden Test century after a four‑year drought, fell to a bouncer from Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue, who persisted with short‑ball tactics despite repeated warnings.
Tongue’s figures ended at 2‑106, while Archer added 1‑120, including the wicket of Saud Shakeel (29) shortly after tea. Jordan Cox contributed two crucial catches behind the stumps, removing debutants Ghazi Ghori (16) and Mohammad Imran (4).
Meanwhile, Razaullah, who had already impressed with the ball by taking four wickets in the first innings – including England’s leading run‑scorer Joe Root in his very first over – turned the spotlight on his batting. His aggressive stroke‑play not only gave Pakistan a 129‑run advantage 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 ball, marking the final wicket of the day. 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 get Pakistan another day." Sky Sports commentator Urooj Mumtaz praised 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 match now heads into a fourth‑day chase, with England needing to chase 130 runs. While the target is modest compared to the 453 they posted earlier, the psychological edge has swung to Pakistan after Razaullah’s heroics. England will need to regroup, manage their bowlers wisely, and capitalize on any loose deliveries to secure a historic series whitewash.
The excitement continues as fans tune in to watch day four live on Sky Sports Cricket, with streaming options available for those without a Sky subscription.