Birmingham: Pakistan found an unlikely hero in Razaullah as the debutant produced a stunning counter-attacking innings against England in the third Test at Edgbaston, smashing a 43-ball fifty to create a new record for his country on Test debut.
The No. 9 batter’s extraordinary six-hitting display transformed what appeared to be another routine England victory into a thrilling contest. Pakistan, after being bowled out for just 133 in the first innings, eventually reached 449 in their second innings and secured a 129-run lead.
England were left needing 130 runs to complete a 3-0 series sweep when play ended on Day 3.
Razaullah rewrites Pakistan record
Razaullah’s biggest achievement came when he reached his half-century from just 43 balls.
That made it the fastest fifty by a Pakistan batter on Test debut. The previous record belonged to Faheem Ashraf, who had reached his fifty from 52 balls against Ireland in 2018.
The debutant’s innings was built almost entirely around aggressive strokeplay. He smashed nine sixes, matching the most sixes hit in a Test innings in England, a record also held by Ben Stokes for his 2023 Ashes performance at Lord’s.
Razaullah eventually fell for a remarkable 81 off 63 balls, but by then he had completely changed the complexion of the match.
Nine sixes put England under pressure
Razaullah walked in when Pakistan were in serious trouble.
England had established a massive 320-run first-innings lead after scoring 453, and Pakistan had lost their first six wickets for 306 in the second innings.
The visitors still needed another two runs simply to make England bat again.
That was when Razaullah launched his remarkable counterattack.
His first six gave Pakistan the lead. He then struck three sixes in an over from Gus Atkinson before bringing up his 43-ball fifty with his fifth six, hit off Jofra Archer.
Another six off Archer took Pakistan to 400.
The sequence completely shifted the pressure onto England’s bowlers.
Razaullah and Mohammad Abbas produce record stand
Razaullah was not alone in Pakistan’s remarkable late fightback.
He formed an entertaining partnership with No. 10 Mohammad Abbas, who also played an important role in keeping the scoreboard moving.
The pair added 121 runs from 123 balls for the ninth wicket.
It was Pakistan’s highest ninth-wicket partnership against England since 1984.
Abbas contributed a career-best 42 runs, hitting two sixes and five boundaries.
His dismissal brought an end to the partnership, but the England players and crowd acknowledged his contribution with a standing ovation.
Razaullah received the same treatment when he was eventually stumped for 81 shortly before the scheduled close of play.
Pakistan’s batting finally comes alive
The turnaround was particularly remarkable given Pakistan’s struggles earlier in the series.
England had dominated the opening two Tests, while Pakistan repeatedly struggled to post competitive totals. They failed to score 200 in either of the first two Tests and did not bat for 50 overs in those matches.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had already made major changes following those defeats, recalling seven players and removing head coach Jason Gillespie.
The third Test initially appeared to be heading in the same direction.
Pakistan managed only 133 in their first innings, while England responded with 453.
But their second innings was completely different.
Pakistan scored 397 runs in 84 overs on Friday, with the innings featuring their first two century partnerships of the tour.
Shan Masood and Babar Azam lead the recovery
Before Razaullah took centre stage, Pakistan’s senior batters had already laid the foundation for the remarkable recovery.
Captain Shan Masood scored 95, while Babar Azam contributed 76.
Opener Azan Awais also made an important 59.
Masood and Awais added 125 runs for the second wicket, helping Pakistan reach 184 for 3 by lunch.
Awais was eventually dismissed for 59 after England successfully reviewed a caught-behind decision.
Masood appeared on course for a century but fell for 95 after a superb low catch by Dan Lawrence gave Atkinson his first wicket of the match.
Babar then looked capable of reaching three figures before England used short-pitched bowling to unsettle him.
He was eventually dismissed for 76 shortly before tea.
England’s bowlers lose control
England had dominated the Pakistan batting line-up during the opening two Tests, but conditions at Edgbaston appeared to become considerably easier for batting.
The pitch offered little lateral movement despite gloomy conditions, while England’s bowling became increasingly wayward.
Pakistan took advantage.
Joe Root’s captaincy also came under pressure as England struggled to stop the flow of runs.
After losing their last recognised batter, Saud Shakeel, Pakistan were 306 for 6.
England appeared to be just two wickets away from wrapping up the innings.
Instead, Razaullah and Abbas turned the match on its head.
England still have a chance to complete series sweep
Despite Pakistan’s extraordinary recovery, England remain favourites to complete a clean sweep.
The hosts need 130 runs on Saturday to win the third Test and complete a 3-0 series victory.
England had already won the first two Tests convincingly and were expected to finish the series with another innings victory after Pakistan’s first-innings total of 133.
However, Razaullah’s remarkable counterattack means England now have another innings to play.
The Pakistan debutant has therefore not only created a record but also given his team a genuine opportunity to fight for a result.
Razaullah’s dream Test debut
Razaullah’s 81 off 63 balls will stand out as one of the most memorable innings of the series.
His nine sixes, 43-ball fifty and fearless approach showed extraordinary confidence for a player appearing in his first Test.
More importantly, his innings came when Pakistan were under enormous pressure.
Instead of simply trying to survive, Razaullah attacked England’s bowlers and forced them onto the defensive.
His partnership with Abbas ensured Pakistan crossed the 400-run mark and established a lead that England must now chase.
Whether Pakistan can complete an unlikely victory remains to be seen, but Razaullah has already ensured that his Test debut will be remembered.
From being on the verge of another heavy defeat, Pakistan now have England under pressure on the fourth morning.
For a team that had struggled badly with the bat throughout the series, Razaullah’s extraordinary 43-ball fifty arrived at precisely the right moment.