Edgbaston Test: Debutant Razaullah powers Pakistan to 449 versus England
What's the story
In a stunning display of power hitting, Pakistan's debutant Razaullah scored a blistering 81 off just 63 balls, including nine sixes. The innings came on the third day of the final Test against England at Edgbaston. His performance helped Pakistan post a total of 449 and set England a target of 130 runs to win. The match is now headed for its fourth day, with England set 130 to win on day four. Here's more.
Record
Razaullah equals Tim Southee's record for most sixes on debut
Razaullah's innings was nothing short of spectacular as he matched Tim Southee's record for the most sixes (nine) by a player on Test debut, as per Cricbuzz.
Most sixes in an innings on Test debut
9 - Tim Southee (NZ) vs ENG, Napier, 2008
9 - Razaullah (PAK) vs ENG, Birmingham, 2026*
7 - Kyle Mayers (WI) vs BAN, Chattogram, 2021
He formed a 121-run partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who contributed 42 runs before getting out in the closing overs.
Razaullah was eventually stumped off Dan Lawrence's bowling.
Series sweep
England eye history in run-chase
Despite Razaullah's heroics, England will now look to chase down 130 runs on day four.
The target is tougher than initially thought but still within reach for the hosts.
If they succeed, it would mark their first-ever home series whitewash over Pakistan.
England won the first two matches of the series at Headingley and Lord's.
Under Joe Root's leadership, they aim for a massive series win.
PAK
Summary of Pakistan's batting on Day 3
Pakistan resumed Day 3 on 56/2 after being 0/2 at one stage on Day 2. Overnight batter Azan Awais and Shan Masood converted their stand to 125 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Awais departed for 59 before Masood and Babar Azam put on 89 runs for the 4th wicket.
Masood was dismissed by a brilliant one-handed catch from Lawrence at slip.
Babar and Saud Shakeel then added another 50-plus stand before the former fell into an obvious short-ball trap set by England.
The wickets triggered a collapse with four wickets falling for just 40 runs.
Razaullah and Abbas then handed Pakistan the momentum.
Information
How did England's bowlers fare?
Ollie Robinson, who took both Pakistan wickets on Day 2, finished with 2/54 from 23 overs. Jofra Archer was expensive and managed 1/120 from 22 overs. Gus Atkinson claimed 3/109 from 24 overs. Josh Tongue picked 2/106 from 22 overs. Lawrence managed 2/17 from 4.4 overs. Harry Brook bowled 1 over (0/4).
Awais
Azan Awais hammers 59 versus England in Edgbaston Test
Awais's knock of 59 came off 84 balls. He smashed 10 fours.
Notably, he finished the series with scores worth 0, 9, 46, 6, 9 and 59. He clocked 129 runs from six innings versus England at 21.5.
Having made his debut earlier this year, Awais has 357 runs from 7 matches at 25.5.
He clocked his 2nd fifty (100s: 1).
Masood
Shan Masood slams his 15th half-century in Tests
Masood's 95 was laced with 12 fours. Earlier in the 1st innings, he managed 5 runs off 7 balls.
Playing his 50th match (96 innings), Masood raced to 2,926 runs at an average of 30.8. He smashed his 15th half-century and owns 7 tons.
As per Cricinfo, in 14 matches against England, Masood has amassed 748 runs at 28.76.
He smashed his 2nd fifty against England (100s: 2).
Masood also registered his 12th fifty-plus score in away matches (home of opposition).
From 27 matches, he has amassed 1,658 runs at 31.88.
Series
Babar finishes the series with an average of 24.25
Babar's knock of 76 came off came off 103 balls. He hit 11 fours and a six. Earlier in the 1st innings, Babar perished for a paltry 7-run knock as Pakistan were bowled out for 133.
Babar missed the first Test at Headingley due to injury and returned for the second Test at Lord's, where he scored eight and six.
He has finished the series with 97 runs at 24.25.
Runs
8th fifty-plus score for Babar against England
Babar raced to a tally of 4,771 runs in Test cricket from 66 matches (122 innings) at an average of 42.98.
He now owns 34 fifties (100s: 9). Versus England, Babar has amassed 743 runs from 10 matches at 46.43.
He registered his 7th fifty against England (100s: 1).
Babar is closing in on 2,500 runs in away matches (home of opposition).
From 38 matches (70 innings), Babar has scored 2,478 runs at 39.33. He clobbered his 22nd fifty (100s: 2).
Razaullah
Razaullah hammers 81; Abbas shines
Razaullah's 81 came off 64 balls. He hit nine sixes and four fours.
As per Cricbuzz, Razaullah is now the second Pakistan batter to score fifty on Test debut while batting at No. 9 or below after Rashid Khan (59 runs) against Sri Lanka in Karachi in 1982.
Meanwhile, Abbas hit 42 runs off 67 balls. He slammed 5 fours and 2 sixes. It's now his career-best score for Pakistan.
Do you know?
A record stand for Razaullah and Abbas
Abbas and Razaullah's 121-run stand is the first 100-plus partnership for the ninth wicket or lower in England since India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami's 111-run 10th-wicket stand at Nottingham in 2014.