England’s hopes of sealing a series whitewash against Pakistan were shattered in dramatic fashion during the final Test at Edgbaston, thanks to an extraordinary innings from 21‑year‑old debutant Razaullah. The young Pakistani all‑rounder turned the match on its head on Friday evening, unleashing a torrent of sixes that not only rescued his side from a precarious position but also forced England into a chase that would prove far more challenging than initially anticipated.
The day began with Pakistan looking comfortable after posting a first‑innings total of 133, all out in just 33.5 overs. Their bowlers, led by Josh Tongue’s 4‑42 and Ollie Robinson’s 3‑15, had kept England’s batting line‑up under pressure, restricting the hosts to 453 in 89 overs. England’s innings featured solid contributions from Harry Brook (75), Jamie Smith (69), Dan Lawrence (65) and Emilio Gay (60), with Razaullah himself taking four wickets for 148 runs, including the prized scalp of Joe Root in his very first over. In the second innings, Pakistan posted 449, gaining a 129‑run lead.
Shan Masood (95) and Babar Azam (76) anchored the innings, while Razaullah added a quick‑fire 81 off just 63 balls, a knock that featured nine towering sixes – a feat that matched Tim Southee’s record for the most sixes by a debutant. When Pakistan’s eighth wicket fell early in the evening session, the team seemed on the brink of collapse, trailing by two runs. Yet Razaullah’s counter‑attack, built on a 121‑run partnership with Mohammad Abbas (who contributed 42), turned the tide. Abbas himself struck two sixes before being dismissed, caught at point off the bowling of Josh Tongue.
Razaullah’s on‑slaught continued until he was finally stumped by Dan Lawrence (who finished with figures of 2‑17). His explosive innings not only rescued Pakistan’s lead but also set a target of 130 for England on the final day – a target that, while modest on paper, required a composed chase under pressure. The significance of Razaullah’s performance goes beyond the numbers.
His ability to clear the boundary nine times in a debut innings is virtually unheard of and highlights a rare blend of power, timing, and confidence. The young cricketer himself described the experience to Sky Sports Cricket, saying, “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.” Urooj Mumtaz of Sky Sports summed up the moment, calling it “simply sensational” and noting that Razaullah’s performance was a “perfectly written first chapter of his Test career.” She highlighted his lack of baggage, his youthful exuberance, and the joy evident on his face as he navigated the pressures of a debut at a historic venue.
England, meanwhile, appeared to lose focus in the final session of the third day. After a solid start, they faltered, allowing Pakistan to rebuild.
The hosts will now need to chase 130 on day four, a target that looks achievable but will test their nerves after a day of relentless Pakistani batting. The English bowlers, who have struggled to find rhythm throughout the series, will have to dig deep to restrict any late‑day fireworks from the Pakistani lower order. Looking back at the match’s key moments, several turning points stand out. Shan Masood’s dismissal came via a spectacular diving catch by Dan Lawrence in the slips – a one‑handed effort that sparked conversation about missed opportunities for a century.
Babar Azam’s wicket, however, was more puzzling; the captain fell to a short‑ball trap set by England just after tea, a decision that left many analysts scratching their heads. The third day also saw England’s pace attack finally make a dent. Gus Atkinson’s eight‑over spell after lunch was particularly effective, claiming his second wicket of the series by dismissing Masood.
Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue employed a mixture of short‑ball tactics that eventually yielded results, with Tongue ending with figures of 2‑106 and Archer taking 1‑120, including the dismissal of Saud Shakeel. Fielding brilliance also featured prominently.
Jordan Cox produced two stunning catches behind the stumps, removing debutants Ghazi Ghori and Mohammad Imran, while Lawrence’s slip work continued to shine throughout the innings. Razaullah’s all‑round impact cannot be overstated. Not only did he claim four wickets in the first innings – including the prized scalp of England’s leading run‑scorer Joe Root – but his explosive batting in the second innings turned a potentially modest lead into a commanding one. His aggressive approach, highlighted by a flurry of sixes and a fearless mindset, provided Pakistan with the momentum they needed to stay in the game.
As the series moves into its final day, England will be looking to chase down the 130‑run target and secure a historic home series whitewash over Pakistan. The pressure will be immense, and the English batting line‑up will need to balance aggression with caution, ensuring they do not repeat the lapses that allowed Razaullah’s on‑fire display. Fans can catch the concluding day of the third Test live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:15 am on Saturday. For those without a Sky subscription, there are streaming options available through NOW with no contract required.
The match promises to be a thrilling finale to a series that has been marked by dramatic swings, standout individual performances, and the emergence of a new Pakistani star in Razaullah, whose debut will be remembered for years to come.