England’s hopes of wrapping up a series whitewash against Pakistan in just three days were shattered on the final day at Edgbaston, thanks to an explosive cameo from 21‑year‑old debutant Razaullah. The youngster’s six‑hitting display turned a seemingly ordinary session into a dramatic showdown, extending the match into a fourth day and leaving England with a steep chase ahead. Pakistan had enjoyed what was arguably the best day of an otherwise disappointing series.
After slipping to eight wickets early in the evening session, the team found a lifeline when Razaullah stormed to 81 runs off only 63 balls. His innings featured nine towering sixes, a feat that matched Tim Southee’s record for the most sixes by a debutant in Test cricket. The partnership he forged with Mohammad Abbas, who contributed a quick‑fire 42, added 121 runs for the seventh wicket. Abbas also struck two sixes before being dismissed, caught at point off the bowling of Josh Tongue in the closing overs.
Razaullah’s whirlwind spell came to an end, and the day's play concluded, when he was stumped off the bowling of Dan Lawrence, who recorded figures of 2‑17. England, having lost their composure in the final session, now face a target of 130 runs on day four – a far more challenging chase than the modest total they had initially expected.
Nonetheless, a successful pursuit would secure a historic first‑ever home series whitewash over Pakistan. **First‑innings summary** - Pakistan 133 all out in 33.5 overs (batting first): top scores from Saud Shakeel (43) and Mohammad Abbas (21). England’s bowlers shared the wickets: Josh Tongue 4‑42, Ollie Robinson 3‑15, Jofra Archer 3‑25. - England 453 all out in 89 overs: a formidable batting line‑up produced Harry Brook (75), Jamie Smith (69), Dan Lawrence (65), Emilio Gay (60) and Ollie Robinson (50).
Razaullah, on debut with the ball, claimed four wickets for 148 runs. - Pakistan 449 all out in 96.4 overs in the second innings, setting a lead of 129 runs: Shan Masood (95), Razaullah (81 off 63 balls), Babar Azam (76) and Azan Awais (59) contributed heavily.
Gus Atkinson took 3‑109 for England. Both Shan Masood and Babar Azam missed chances to notch the first century of the series, each falling short of the landmark. Masood was caught in a spectacular one‑handed diving slip catch by Dan Lawrence, while Babar walked into a short‑ball trap laid by England just as tea was about to be called, a dismissal that left many observers puzzled. After Pakistan’s fourth wicket fell for 40 runs, the innings appeared to be collapsing.
Yet Razaullah had other ideas. On the third morning, with Pakistan 52‑2, the visitors adopted a cautious approach, adding just 15 runs in the first 7.2 overs. The tempo then shifted dramatically as they rattled off 117 runs in the next 20 balls, with the only blemish being the dismissal of Azan Awais (59), caught down the leg side off 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 in the slips. Babar Azam, poised for a maiden Test hundred after a long wait, fell to a well‑executed short‑ball plan involving Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.
Tongue eventually secured the wicket, with Babar gloving a ball behind the stumps, while Archer later dismissed Saud Shakeel (29) with another short‑ball that ballooned to short‑leg. Two outstanding catches by Jordan Cox behind the stumps removed debutants Ghazi Ghori (16) and Mohammad Imran (4), both victims of Atkinson’s incisive bowling (3‑109). Razaullah, who had already impressed with the ball—taking four wickets in the first innings, including England’s leading run‑scorer Joe Root with his very first over—now turned his attention to the bat.
His aggressive strike‑play not only propelled Pakistan to a 129‑run lead but also injected a palpable sense of excitement into the match. Late in the day, drama intensified when an LBW decision against Lawrence was overturned on review, only for Razaullah to be dismissed on the very next ball, ending the day’s action.
**Razaullah’s post‑innings reflections 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 Cricket analyst Urooj Mumtaz’s take** "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 fourth day promises a tense chase for England.
They must chase down 130 runs, a target that, while modest on paper, will test their resolve after a day of relentless pressure from Pakistan’s young all‑rounder. Fans can watch the live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:15 am on Saturday, with streaming options available for those without a Sky subscription.
The outcome of this final day will determine whether England can claim a historic home series whitewash or whether Pakistan’s spirited debutant will have turned the tide in their favour.