England's hopes of wrapping up a clean sweep of Pakistan in just three days were shattered by an extraordinary innings from 21‑year‑old debutant Razaullah, who unleashed a torrent of sixes late on Friday. Pakistan, who had been enjoying the brightest moment of an otherwise bleak series, still found themselves two wickets down early in the evening session when their eighth wicket fell.
In response, Razaullah detonated, scoring 81 runs from just 63 balls and striking the boundary nine times, a feat that matched Tim Southee's record for the most sixes by a player on Test debut. His explosive knock came in partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who contributed 42 runs and added two sixes of his own before being caught at point off the bowling of Josh Tongue in the final overs of the day. Razaullah's on‑field adventure ended when he was stumped off Dan Lawrence's delivery (2‑17), bringing the day's play to a close. England, having lost their composure in the final session, now face a target of 130 runs on day four – a more daunting chase than initially anticipated, yet still within reach if they can maintain discipline and seize the momentum.
A successful pursuit would secure a historic home series whitewash against Pakistan. **First innings scores** - Pakistan 133 all out (33.5 overs): Saud Shakeel 43, Mohammad Abbas 21; 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; Razaullah 4‑148. **Second innings scores** - Pakistan 449 all out (96.4 overs), leading by 129: Shan Masood 95, Razaullah 81 (63 balls), Babar Azam 76, Azan Awais 59; Gus Atkinson 3‑109. - England required 130 to win. The visitors missed opportunities to press further, with both Shan Masood (95) and Babar Azam (76) failing to convert promising starts into centuries.
Masood was dismissed via a spectacular one‑handed diving catch by Lawrence in the slips, while Babar fell to a short‑ball trap set by England just as tea was called, a dismissal that raised eyebrows. After Pakistan's collapse of four wickets for 40 runs, Razaullah turned the tide, delivering a series of powerful strokes that extended the match into a fourth day. When England resumed on the third morning at 52‑2, they were cautious, adding only 15 runs in a quiet 7.2‑over opening spell.
The situation changed dramatically when they accelerated, scoring 117 runs in the next 20 balls, only losing Azan Awais (59) to a faint edge caught behind by Lawrence. England's four‑man pace attack, which had struggled to make an impact throughout the series, showed signs of life after the lunch break.
Gus Atkinson produced an eight‑over spell that yielded his second wicket of the series, dismissing Masood with the help of Lawrence's sharp slip work. Babar Azam, on the cusp of his first Test century in nearly four years, fell to a well‑executed bouncer plan by Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue. Despite repeated warnings, Babar attempted to counter the short ball and was caught gloving behind by Tongue (2‑106).
Archer (1‑120) then removed Saud Shakeel (29) with another short‑ball that rose to short‑leg. Jordan Cox contributed two vital catches behind the stumps, dismissing debutants Ghazi Ghori (16) and Mohammad Imran (4) as Atkinson (3‑109) found their edges, both inside and outside. Razaullah, who had already impressed with the ball by taking four wickets in England's first innings—including the prized scalp of Joe Root in his very first over—now added a batting masterpiece.
His 81‑run blitz not only gave Pakistan a 129‑run lead but also showcased his raw power and fearless approach. The drama peaked when an lbw appeal 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." Urooj Mumtaz of Sky Sports Cricket praised the youngster: "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 as his first Test wicket, claims a four‑for on debut, and then scores 81 with nine sixes – the entire Edgbaston crowd was on its feet.
He arrived with no baggage, bringing the spark, energy, and exuberance of youth that any team craves. He smiled, never looked overwhelmed, and seemed to believe in himself.
If anyone is betting, after today it's as if a dimming light has been reignited. Razaullah gives Pakistan a new dimension with his pace, and they will have to believe in that.
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