Razaullah blitz, Babar-Masood resistance make England wait for win at Edgbaston
England will need 130 runs to complete a 3-0 series sweep after Pakistan debutant Razaullah produced a stunning counterattack to breathe life into the third Test at Edgbaston on Friday. Pakistan had looked set for another disappointing collapse despite recovering from their overnight position of 55-2. But the visitors showed far greater resistance on day three, eventually reaching 449 and setting England a target that could yet prove tricky.
The biggest story, however, was 21-year-old Razaullah. Batting at No. 9 on his Test debut, he launched an extraordinary assault after Pakistan were 318-8. His 81 came at breathtaking speed, with a 43-ball half-century and nine sixes that matched Ben Stokes' record for the most in a Test innings in England.
Razaullah also equalled Tim Southee's record for the most sixes by a debutant in a Test innings. He shared a game-changing 121-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Muhammad Abbas, who contributed 42 and joined the late hitting with two sixes of his own.
Earlier, Pakistan's top order finally offered some resistance after being dominated for much of the series. Shan Masood and Azan Awais added 125 for the third wicket, with Awais making 59 before falling to Dan Lawrence. Masood then combined with captain Babar Azam for another 89 runs.
Masood was unfortunate to miss out on a century when he was dismissed for 95 following a spectacular one-handed catch by Lawrence at gully. Babar played fluently for 76 but was eventually undone by England's short-ball strategy, falling to a Josh Tongue bouncer.
His dismissal sparked a brief collapse, with Pakistan losing four wickets for 40 runs. England appeared firmly in control again, only for Razaullah and Abbas to turn the contest on its head.
England's bowlers had been disciplined for much of the day, but their plans unravelled against Pakistan's lower order. Razaullah struck Atkinson for three sixes in an over and later sent Jofra Archer over his head twice in succession. As the partnership grew, England's attack appeared increasingly frustrated and short of answers.
Abbas eventually fell while attempting another aggressive stroke, while Razaullah's remarkable innings ended when he was stumped off Lawrence in the closing stages. By then, though, he had transformed Pakistan's fortunes and given the Edgbaston crowd one of the most entertaining passages of the series.
Pakistan had managed just 133 in their first innings and were reduced to 0-2 second time around, making Friday's fightback all the more remarkable. It was their best batting effort of the tour and ensured the match would stretch into Saturday.
England remain favourites to complete the clean sweep, but after a series in which their attack and tactics have rarely been seriously tested, they were given plenty to think about by Pakistan's dramatic resistance. What had looked like a routine finish could now produce an intriguing final day.- EndsPublished By: alan johnPublished On: Sep 12, 2026 00:05 IST
