England’s hopes of wrapping up the Test series against Pakistan in just three days were shattered on the final day at Edgbaston, thanks to a spectacular late‑day innings from 21‑year‑old debutant Razaullah. The young Pakistani’s aggressive display, featuring nine sixes and an 81‑run burst off only 63 balls, turned a modest lead into a 129‑run advantage and forced the hosts into a chase on the fourth day.
The match had been slipping away from Pakistan for most of the series, but the eighth wicket fell early in the evening session, leaving the side two runs behind. Razaullah then exploded onto the scene, matching the record set by Tim Southee for the most sixes by a debutant. His on‑side power hitting saw him clear the boundary nine times, and he forged a 121‑run partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who contributed 42 runs and added two sixes of his own before being dismissed by Josh Tongue. Razaullah’s innings was eventually halted when he was stumped off Dan Lawrence’s 2‑17 spell, ending the day’s play.
England, having lost focus in the final session, now face a target of 130 runs on day four – a far tougher ask than initially expected, but still within reach if they can recover composure and chase down the runs for a historic home series whitewash. **First‑innings summary** Pakistan were bowled out for 133 in 33.5 overs, with Saud Shakeel (43) and Mohammad Abbas (21) providing the bulk of the runs.
England’s bowlers shared the wickets: Josh Tongue 4‑42, Ollie Robinson 3‑15 and Jofra Archer 3‑25. England responded strongly, posting 453 all out in 89 overs. The top‑order contributions came from Harry Brook (75), Jamie Smith (69), Dan Lawrence (65) and Emilio Gay (60), while Ollie Robinson added a quick 50. Razaullah, on debut with the ball, claimed four wickets for 148 runs, including the prized scalp of Joe Root.
In the second innings, Pakistan posted 449 in 96.4 overs, gaining a 129‑run lead. Shan Masood (95) and Babar Azam (76) anchored the innings, while Razaullah’s 81 off 63 balls propelled the side forward. The England attack featured Gus Atkinson’s 3‑109, with other contributions from the pace unit. Both Masood and Azam missed chances to become the first centurions of the series.
Masood was dismissed via a spectacular one‑handed diving catch by Lawrence in the slips, while Azam fell to a short‑ball trap set by England just after tea, a dismissal that raised eyebrows due to its simplicity. After the fall of four wickets for 40 runs, Razaullah changed the complexion of the game.
When the visitors resumed on the third morning at 52‑2, they added a modest 15 runs in the first 7.2 overs before launching a furious assault, smashing 117 runs in the next 20 balls. The only wicket in that burst was Azan Awais (59), caught off a feather‑edged leg‑glance by Lawrence.
England’s four‑man pace attack, which had struggled to make inroads throughout the series, finally found some rhythm after lunch. Gus Atkinson’s eight‑over spell was particularly effective, claiming his second wicket of the series by dismissing Masood, again caught by Lawrence. Babar Azam, poised for a maiden Test hundred after nearly four years, fell to a well‑executed short‑ball plan from Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.
Tongue finished with 2‑106, while Archer took 1‑120, dismissing Saud Shakeel (29) with a short‑ball that ballooned to short‑leg. Two brilliant catches by Jordan Cox behind the stumps removed debutants Ghazi Ghori (16) and Mohammad Imran (4), both caught off Atkinson’s edges. Razaullah, already impressive with the ball—having taken four wickets in the first innings, including the prized wicket of England’s leading run‑scorer Joe Root—now showcased his batting prowess, turning the match in Pakistan’s favour and securing a 129‑run lead.
Late in the day, drama 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 told 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 summed up the performance: “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, gets his baggy green, takes Joe Root’s wicket, a four‑for on debut, and then 81 with nine sixes – all at Edgbaston, and all of Pakistan were on their feet.
He arrived with no baggage, bringing the spark, energy and exuberance of youth we love. He smiled, never seemed overwhelmed, and believed in himself.
If anyone is betting, today’s display has reignited hope. Razaullah gives Pakistan a different edge with his pace and power, and they’ll have to believe in it.” England will now aim to chase down the modest target of 130 on day four, hoping to secure a first‑ever home series whitewash over Pakistan. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:15 am on Saturday, with streaming options available for non‑Sky subscribers.