Pakistan finally displayed resilience in the third Test at Edgbaston, as a remarkable late-innings surge from debutant Razaullah prevented England from securing a quickfire victory on Friday. With the tourists facing a massive first-innings deficit of 320, the debutant paceman arrived at the crease and struck nine sixes in an aggressive 81 off just 63 balls, keeping Pakistan’s hopes alive heading into the final day.
The match appeared to be heading toward a swift conclusion after Pakistan lost two wickets without scoring on Thursday. However, opener Azan Awais and Shan Masood steadied the ship, taking the score to 125 before Awais was caught down the leg side for 59 by stand-in wicketkeeper Jordan Cox off Dan Lawrence. This breakthrough brought captain Babar Azam to the crease, who batted fluently alongside Masood before falling for 76 to a Josh Tongue delivery.
Masood, who was approaching his eighth Test century, eventually departed for 95 after a brilliant slip catch by Lawrence off Gus Atkinson. The middle order struggled to maintain momentum; Saud Shakeel was dismissed for 29 by Jofra Archer, and further catches by Cox accounted for Ghazi Ghori and Mohammad Imran, leaving Pakistan reeling at 318-8.
The tide turned when Razaullah joined Mohammad Abbas at the crease. The pair launched a counter-attack that saw them add 121 runs for the ninth wicket. Razaullah showed immediate intent, hitting three sixes off Atkinson in four deliveries. Abbas, who previously held a top Test score of 29, contributed significantly, including a six off Ollie Robinson, before being caught by Atkinson off Tongue for 42.
Razaullah continued his assault, bringing up his half-century off 43 balls with a fifth six off Archer. Even after removing his helmet to face Lawrence in the final over, he continued to clear the ropes. He survived an LBW review before being stumped by Cox for 81, ending an innings that featured four fours and nine sixes. This performance followed his four-wicket haul during England’s first innings.
England, who bowled Pakistan out for 133 in their first outing before scoring 453, now require 130 runs on Saturday to complete a 3-0 series sweep. Joe Root’s side previously dominated the series, winning the first Test by an innings and 103 runs and the second by 194 runs.
The current Pakistan squad underwent significant changes following their second Test defeat, including the dismissal of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul, alongside the release of seven players. Despite the series deficit, the team’s late-day fireworks at Edgbaston ensured the contest will stretch into a fourth day. The report also notes that with England seemingly powerless to stop the carnage late on the third day, fellow paceman Mohammad Abbas also joined the party as the pair took the score from 318-8 to 439-9. The report also notes that with the home home side needing to score 130 to wrap up a 3-0 win after dominating the series, it means the teams will have to come back on Saturday. The report also notes that earlier, Shan Masood scored 95 and captain Babar Azam made 76 as much-changed Pakistan passed 200 for the first time in the series at the sixth attempt. The report also notes that clubbing three sixes off Atkinson in four balls and the pair brought up their fifty partnership off just 57 balls, debutant paceman Razaullah showed his intent early.