Razaullah’s six-hitting debut caps Pakistan’s stunning fightback

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP):

Sensational six-hitting by No. 9 batter Razaullah Khan on debut capped an extraordinary Pakistan fightback against England in the Edgbaston cricket Test yesterday.

The Pakistanis were expected to follow the previous two Tests in the series and be cleaned up during day three of the third and last Test by an England pace attack that has been rampant against the lacklustre visitors.

But Pakistan finally flexed their batting muscles to be dismissed for 449 in the last over of the day, snatch a lead of 129 runs and force a fourth day of action nobody predicted.

England need 130 runs today to complete a first three-Test whitewash since 2024 on the same ground against the West Indies.

Late-day partnership

Gutsy half-centuries by Shan Masood (95), captain Babar Azam (76) and opener Azan Awais (59) lifted Pakistan to the brink of wiping out a 320-run deficit on the first innings, then Razaullah and No. 10 batter Mohammad Abbas smashed past it in style in a thrilling late-day partnership.

The 21-year-old Razaullah, who has a first-class century, hammered nine sixes, tied for the most-ever in an innings in England with Ben Stokes in the 2023 Ashes at Lord’s. Razaullah was one of the newcomers parachuted into the team last week having got his first passport.

“I just had to bat. You were the ones who enjoyed it,” Razaullah told broadcaster Sky Sports in translated comments.

“I was planning to take it long and deep. They bowled in the slot so I was eyeing it up. I am enjoying it thoroughly. There was no point I was scared.”

His first six gave Pakistan the lead and he hit three sixes in an over off Gus Atkinson. His fifth six off Jofra Archer got him a 43-ball fifty. His next six off Archer earned Pakistan’s 400.

Abbas was out for a career-best 42, including two sixes and five boundaries, ending an entertaining partnership of 121 from 123 balls. It was the highest ninth-wicket stand against England since 1984.

Abbas walked off to a standing ovation and Razaullah received the same when he was stumped for 81 off 63 balls just moments before scheduled stumps.

England started the day expecting to wrap up another innings win in quick time. There was good reason to believe that.

Pakistan were blown away in Leeds and Lord’s, didn’t once make a 200 total or bat 50 overs. The Pakistan Cricket Board pressed the panic button a week ago and yanked home seven players and sacked the head coach. With three debutants, Pakistan’s first innings scrounged 133 runs.

England replied with 453 on Thursday, a lead of 320 runs, and nobody thought England would need to bat again.

But Pakistan, who started the innings 0-2 on Thursday evening, breached 200 after lunch, breached 300 after tea and breached 320 about 40 minutes later.

They scored 397 runs in 84 overs on Friday, including their first two century partnerships of the tour.