Razaullah’s 81‑run cameo fuels Pakistan’s fightback, denying England a clean sweep

Pakistan all out with a second innings lead of 130 at the close on day three of the third Test at Edgbaston.

Published On 11 Sep 202611 Sep 2026

Debutant Razaullah unleashed a spectacular late assault, propelling Pakistan’s fightback and denying England a 3‑0 whitewash on Friday at Edgbaston.

Coming in when Pakistan looked set to lose, the debut fast‑bowler Razaullah struck an audacious 81 from 63 deliveries, including nine sixes.

Mohammad Abbas, another pace bowler, joined him in the onslaught, lifting the total from 318‑8 to 439‑9 as England struggled to contain the late barrage.

The match will resume on Saturday, with Pakistan requiring 130 runs to secure a 3‑0 series victory after dominating the series.

Earlier, Shan Masood scored 95 and captain Babar Azam made 76, helping a reshuffled Pakistan post 200 runs for the first time in the series.

After trailing by 320 runs from the first innings, Pakistan lost two wickets for no runs on Thursday, before opener Azan Awais and veteran Shan Masood added 125 for the next wicket.

Their stand was broken in the morning session when Awais was caught leg‑side by stand‑in keeper Jordan Cox off Dan Lawrence’s spin for 59, promoting Azam.

Masood, nearing his eighth Test century, was dismissed by a brilliant slip catch taken by Dan Lawrence off Gus Atkinson’s delivery.

Azam, returning after missing the first Test with a hand injury, batted fluently but edged a ball from Josh Tongue to Jordan Cox.

Saud Shakeel (29) followed soon after, caught at short leg by Emilio Gay while defending a Jofra Archer bouncer; Cox also took two further catches to dismiss Ghazi Ghori and Mohammad Imran.

Pakistan were not finished, as Mohammad Abbas joined Razaullah for a dazzling evening partnership.

Razaullah struck early intent, powering three sixes off Gus Atkinson in four deliveries, and the pair compiled a 50‑run stand in just 57 balls.

Encouraged, Abbas—who had previously scored only 29 in Tests—smashed a six off Ollie Robinson.

Razaullah reached 50 runs from 43 balls, clinching the milestone with a sixth six off Jofra Archer, and repeated the feat on the next ball.

Abbas was eventually dismissed by Atkinson off Josh Tongue’s bowling for 42, concluding a 121‑run ninth‑wicket stand.

Razaullah, having removed his helmet, faced Dan Lawrence in the final over, launching the ball into the stands to move into the 80s.

He survived an LBW review but was stumped by Jordan Cox on the following delivery for 81, with the crowd applauding his effort.

He finished with four fours and nine sixes, complementing his four wickets taken in England’s first innings.

England dismissed Pakistan for a meagre 133 on the opening day before posting 453 runs at a brisk pace.

Joe Root’s side have dominated the series, securing an innings‑and‑103‑run victory in the first Test and a 194‑run win in the second.

Following their second‑Test defeat, Pakistan released seven players, dismissed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul, and fielded four changes for the third Test in Birmingham.

Source link