Razaullah's nine sixes power Pakistan to 129-run Edgbaston lead

Pakistan posted 449 in their second innings at Edgbaston, taking a 129-run lead over England and forcing the match into a fourth day after Test debutant Razaullah smashed nine sixes in an explosive 81 off 63 balls.

The 21-year-old tearaway fast bowler, who has played just eight first-class matches and was selected primarily for his bowling reminiscent of Waqar Younis, turned the third Test on its head with a swashbuckling knock at number nine that drew comparisons to Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq. His nine sixes equal the joint-most ever in a Test innings in England, matching Ben Stokes' famous 155 against Australia in the 2023 Ashes Test.

"It's the first time he's been out there for Pakistan ever, and he absolutely lights up the show. This is the attitude that was needed," said former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja on BBC Test Match Special. "Someone with a strong body language and who believes in himself. They'll want him playing all formats because he's a natural in mind, body and attitude. It was a tremendous fightback".

Pakistan Script Remarkable Turnaround

Pakistan put up arguably their most impressive - and unarguably entertaining - performance of the tour to script a remarkable turnaround at the end of the third day's play at Edgbaston. The side, which was steamrolled for just 133 just after lunch on the opening day and looked rudderless against ruthless opponents, has now set England a target of 130 runs.

Led by half-centuries from Azan Awais, Shan Masood, Babar Azam and Razaullah, Pakistan ended the day's play on 449 - the highest they have scored in the series. The deficit was cleared in the post-Tea session as a result of the ninth-wicket century stand between Razaullah and Mohammad Abbas.

"There wouldn't be any person in the world that would've thought we'd go to day four," said former England captain Michael Vaughan. "That is what Pakistan cricket is. They have had a difficult few weeks. The team has been in turmoil. That is why I love Pakistan cricket".

Masood and Awais Build Foundation

Awais and Masood, the overnight batters who had already stitched a half-century stand, made a cautious start to the day's play while Jofra Archer peppered them with some short-pitched deliveries. While Atkinson and Archer remained hard to put away, Josh Tongue provided ample scoring opportunities. Even as there was slight movement on offer, it wasn't enough to trouble the batters.

On either side of the drinks break, both batters brought up their respective half-centuries. The partnership came to an end rather abruptly with the introduction of spin for the first time in the Test. Looking to glance Dan Lawrence's delivery going down leg, Awais got a faint touch to the keeper. Even as most of the close-in fielders didn't seem excited and the umpire had ruled it not out, Joe Root got the decision reversed with a swift review.

Captain Babar Azam Finds Form

However, Masood continued to keep Pakistan's momentum going, and this time he found the company of Babar Azam, the Pakistan skipper who hadn't managed a double-digit score all through the series. The senior batters displayed fine application in their 89-run stand before Lawrence plucked a low one-handed catch at gully to end Masood's stay five short of a century.

Shan Masood played with admirable application, producing a stoic 95 that anchored Pakistan's innings. Babar was looking good in the middle for a good part of his stay, eventually making 76. However, once England employed the short-ball tactic, the Pakistani skipper was tested, and eventually fell to it when he too looked well set for a century. While he survived a spell from Archer, he fell to a delivery down leg off Tongue.

Seven overs later, Shakeel too fell for the same ploy, gloving the short ball to short leg while looking to fend it off. The final session began with Pakistan trailing by only 23 runs and five wickets in hand. However, before they could clear the deficit, England had struck thrice, sending back Saud Shakeel, Ghazi Ghori and Mohammad Imran Randhawa.

'Razball' Takes Centre Stage

With only two wickets left, Pakistan went on the counter-offensive led by Razaullah's enterprising knock. There was a freedom to their batting hitherto unseen in this series so far. Yet it was the swashbuckling Razaullah who really captured the imagination.

The carnage began early when he smoked Gus Atkinson thrice over the ropes in one over. There was a brief period of slowing down, but then he muscled Jofra Archer over long off for a six to bring up his half-century. At times when Razaullah - who has one first-class century - was teeing off, England captain Joe Root wore the expression of a chess player waiting for someone to tell him it was his move.

Root stationed eight fielders on the boundary at one point - but it did not deter Razaullah as he brashly swaggered at the crease with the arrogance of youth. He hit as many sixes as Sir Geoffrey Boycott did in his 108-Test career. Perhaps being so far behind, and expected to capitulate, liberated Pakistan.

The raw 21-year-old ended up needing to use three different bats at the crease after breaking two with his explosive hitting. Mohammad Abbas offered him much-needed support from the other end. As the partnership flourished, Razaullah became more liberated to play his big shots.

The duo added 121 runs for the ninth wicket and helped Pakistan to a 119-run lead before Abbas fell to Tongue on 42. Razaullah added 10 more runs to the team's total before becoming Lawrence's second victim of the innings and the last batter to be dismissed.

Theatrical Dismissal Caps Stunning Innings

Even Razaullah's dismissal was pure theatre lapped up by the crowd. Reprieved lbw to Dan Lawrence, he danced down the pitch and was stumped next ball. The young Pakistani left the field to the warmest ovation.

"England are going to win this Test match, I'm sure," said Vaughan. "But Razaullah has given Pakistan cricket some hope. They've unearthed a gem and he will be a superstar for many years".

In another world, Razaullah might have been playing for Cleethorpes in the Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League, having signed for the 2026 season only to be called up to a national training camp in May.

England's Tactical Questions

Razaullah was probably not a name on the radar of England's bowlers when he was called up amid wholesale changes made by Pakistan before the final Test. After some blistering strokeplay when he took down the home side's attack, they certainly know who he is now.

"England will look back at a lot of the tactics and realise they got it wrong," added Vaughan. "The short stuff, one over of spin, the second new ball with the spinner. That day today will make the England team realise there is a long way to go to be world class".

Pakistan's Outside Chance

Doubtless many punters will have started to make other plans in the expectation this would all be over swiftly, especially when England racked up 453. Those with tickets for the fourth day must have thought the prospect of seeing any play was remote when Pakistan offered a meek surrender on day one.

Yet with 129 to defend, Pakistan have an outside chance of what would be the most famous of victories. It's tempting to look at Pakistan cricket through a certain prism, but when moments like these arrive it's impossible not to. Through the emotional wringer again - despair to hope in the space of three days.

England's bowlers were thwarted by a Pakistan side who mixed batting belligerence with brilliance, and instead of having the fourth day off, must reconvene at Edgbaston. The brilliance was provided by Razaullah, who produced a dizzying knock to breathe life into the third Test and lift the spirits of Pakistan supporters everywhere. A new hero, a new hope.

Bazball might be on its way out, but Birmingham might just have witnessed the birth of a new phenomenon during two hours of unbridled chaos where the Test debutant made a stunning 81 off 63 balls coming in at number nine. There were shades of Shahid Afridi or Abdul Razzaq in the flamboyant nature of the way Razaullah flayed England to all parts.

"Someone with a strong body language and who believes in himself," Raja had said, and Razaullah delivered precisely that brand of fearless cricket Pakistan needed. The nine sixes hit by the debutant represent the most by any player making their Test debut, a record that underscores the extraordinary nature of his innings.

Match Summary

Pakistan's first innings total of 133 had featured contributions from Saud Shakeel with 43 and Mohammad Abbas with 21, while Josh Tongue took 4-42 and Ollie Robinson claimed 3-15. England's reply of 453 was built on 75 from Harry Brook and 69 from Jamie Smith, with Razaullah taking 4-148 with the ball.

In their second innings, Pakistan posted 449 with Shan Masood making 95, Razaullah 81, and Babar Azam 76. Gus Atkinson finished with 3-109, while Dan Lawrence took 2-17. England now need 130 runs to win the third Test, but face the prospect of chasing on a pitch that has already produced nearly 1,400 runs across three days of compelling cricket.

The emergence of Razaullah as both a genuine fast-bowling threat and a devastating lower-order batsman gives Pakistan renewed optimism not just for this match but for the future of their cricket. What looked like a certain defeat after the first day has transformed into a contest that will go down to the wire, with the home side facing an unexpected examination of their nerve and skill on what should have been a rest day.