England’s hopes of wrapping up a series whitewash against Pakistan in just three days were shattered by an extraordinary display of power hitting from 21‑year‑old Razaullah on the final day at Edgbaston. The youngster’s explosive 81 runs from only 63 balls, punctuated by nine towering sixes, not only rescued Pakistan from a precarious position but also forced the hosts into a much tougher chase on the fourth day. The match had been tilting heavily in England’s favour after the first innings, where the visitors piled up 453 runs thanks to solid contributions from Harry Brook (75), Jamie Smith (69), Dan Lawrence (65) and Emilio Gay (60). Pakistan, on the other hand, were bundled out for 133 in just 33.5 overs, with only Saud Shakeel (43) and Mohammad Abbas (21) managing any resistance.
England’s bowlers, especially Josh Tongue (4‑42) and Ollie Robinson (3‑15), exploited the seam-friendly conditions and kept the Pakistani batting line‑up under constant pressure. In the second innings Pakistan posted a respectable 449, gaining a lead of 129 runs. Shan Masood (95) and Babar Azam (76) anchored the innings, but both fell short of the century that would have given their side a commanding edge. Masood was caught in a spectacular one‑handed dive by England’s slip fielder Dan Lawrence, while Babar walked into a well‑planned short‑ball trap set by the hosts just after tea, a dismissal that raised eyebrows among the commentators.
When Pakistan’s eighth wicket fell early in the evening session, the game seemed to be slipping away from them. The score was 52‑2 and the visitors were adding a modest 15 runs in a quiet 7.2‑over spell when Razaullah arrived at the crease.
What followed was a masterclass in aggressive batting. Within the next 20 overs he unleashed a torrent of boundaries, smashing 117 runs and hitting nine sixes in the process. His on‑field heroics equaled the record set by Tim Southee for the most sixes by a debutant in Test cricket. Razaullah’s partnership with Mohammad Abbas (who contributed 42 runs and two sixes before being dismissed by Josh Tongue) was worth 121 runs.
The pair turned the momentum in Pakistan’s favour, and the young all‑rounder’s strike rate of 128.57 left the English bowlers scrambling for answers. The only blemish on his day came when he was stumped off Dan Lawrence’s bowling (2‑17) after a mistimed pull, which also marked the end of the day’s play. England, visibly rattled after losing the plot in the final session, now faced a target of 130 runs on day four – a figure that looks modest on paper but is considerably steeper than the original expectation of a straightforward chase. The hosts will need to regroup quickly if they are to claim the first ever home series whitewash against Pakistan.
The statistical summary of the match reads as follows: - Pakistan 1st innings: 133 all out (33.5 overs) – top scores: Saud Shakeel 43, Mohammad Abbas 21; England bowlers: Josh Tongue 4‑42, Ollie Robinson 3‑15, Jofra Archer 3‑25. - England 1st innings: 453 all out (89 overs) – top scores: Harry Brook 75, Jamie Smith 69, Dan Lawrence 65, Emilio Gay 60, Ollie Robinson 50; Pakistan bowler: Razaullah 4‑148. - Pakistan 2nd innings: 449 all out (96.4 overs, lead 129) – top scores: Shan Masood 95, Razaullah 81 (63 balls), Babar Azam 76, Azan Awais 59; England bowler: Gus Atkinson 3‑109. The two Pakistani batsmen who fell short of centuries – Masood and Babar – both missed golden opportunities.
Masood’s dismissal came via a spectacular catch by Lawrence in the slips, while Babar’s wicket was the result of a short‑ball strategy that England employed after tea. The latter’s exit was particularly puzzling because the captain seemed to walk straight into a well‑set trap, underscoring the fine margins that often decide Test matches. Razaullah’s innings was not just about raw power; it was also about timing and intent. After a cautious start, he accelerated dramatically, turning a seemingly ordinary partnership into a match‑changing stand.
His ability to clear the boundary repeatedly forced England to rethink their field placements and bowling changes. Even when an lbw decision against him was overturned on review, he responded by getting out on the very next ball, ending his day‑long onslaught. In post‑match remarks to Sky Sports Cricket, the young all‑rounder reflected on his performance: "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 debutant, calling his performance "simply sensational" and highlighting the youthful exuberance he brought to the side.
She noted that Razaullah arrived on the plane with no baggage, made an immediate impact by dismissing England’s leading run‑scorer Joe Root with his first ball, claimed a four‑wicket haul on debut, and then proceeded to hit nine sixes in a single innings – a combination that electrified the Edgbaston crowd. Looking ahead, England will need to muster composure and execute a disciplined chase on day four. Their batting order, which includes the likes of Dan Lawrence, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, will have to negotiate a pitch that has already shown its ability to reward aggressive stroke play.
If they manage to chase down the 130‑run target, they will secure a historic series whitewash on home soil. If not, Pakistan’s spirited comeback, anchored by Razaullah’s explosive innings, could turn the series into a much tighter contest than anyone anticipated. Fans can watch the final day of the third Test live on Sky Sports Cricket starting at 10:15 am on Saturday, with streaming options available for those without a traditional Sky subscription.