England faces a target of 130 runs to complete a 3-0 series sweep after Pakistan’s debutant Razaullah produced a defiant and explosive performance on the third day of the final Test at Edgbaston. Despite being bowled out for just 133 in their first innings and suffering a disastrous start to their second, the tourists reached 449, forcing England to bat again.
Pakistan’s resurgence was anchored by Shan Masood, who scored 95, and Azan Awais, who contributed 51. The pair extended their third-wicket partnership to 125 runs before Awais was dismissed by Dan Lawrence. Masood later added 89 runs with captain Babar Azam, who looked in fine form with 76 before falling to a short-ball tactic from Josh Tongue. Babar’s dismissal triggered a brief collapse, with four wickets falling for just 40 runs, leaving Pakistan at 318-8.
The match appeared destined for a three-day conclusion until 21-year-old debutant Razaullah arrived at the crease. Batting at number nine, he launched a sensational assault, scoring 81 runs from just 63 balls. His innings featured nine sixes, tying the record held by Ben Stokes for the most maximums in a single Test innings in England. Razaullah also equalled Tim Southee’s record for the most sixes hit by a Test debutant.
Razaullah shared a vital ninth-wicket stand of 121 with Muhammad Abbas, who added 42 runs including two sixes of his own. The partnership frustrated the English bowlers, who struggled to find their rhythm or hit the stumps as the light faded. The stand was eventually broken when Abbas was caught by point off Tongue, and Razaullah was later stumped off the bowling of Lawrence.
England’s bowling attack, which had dominated the series, appeared devoid of ideas during the late-afternoon onslaught. Joe Root’s decision to introduce Lawrence with the second new-ball drew scrutiny, while Jofra Archer and Ollie Robinson struggled to contain the scoring. By the end of the day, England had resorted to using Gus Atkinson for short-pitched bowling with a heavily defensive field.
This performance marked the first time in the series that Pakistan exceeded 200 runs or batted for more than 51 overs. While England remains the heavy favorite to win the match, the tourists have successfully restored a measure of pride to a previously difficult tour. The final day promises a tense finish as England attempts to navigate a potentially tricky chase of 130 to seal the series. The report also notes that highlights: Razaullah stars as Pakistan fight back against England. The report also notes that pakistan 133 (Tongue 4-42) & 449 (Masood 95, Razaullah 81, Babar 76, Awais 59). The report also notes that england 453 (Brook 75, Smith 69, Lawrence 65, Gay 60, Robinson 50; Razaullah 4-148). The report also notes that restoring a modicum of pride to what has been a shambolic tour, pakistan deserved to drag the match into a weekend. The report also notes that england might have won inside two days had it not been for bad weather on Thursday. The report also notes that from 55-2 overnight, 268 behind, Pakistan did not capitulate on Friday. The report also notes that the left-hander was denied a century on 95 when Lawrence took a spectacular one-handed catch at gully off Gus Atkinson.
