Debutant’s six-hitting assault revives Pakistan after England’s 320-run first-innings lead
Pakistan’s Shan Masood celebrates reaching his half-century in the third Test at Edgbaston. Photo: AFP
Debutant Razaullah Khan smashed 81 from 63 balls as Pakistan fought back from a huge first-innings deficit to set England a 130-run target on the third day of the final Test at Edgbaston on Friday.
Razaullah, who had already impressed with four wickets in England’s first innings, launched nine sixes and four fours in a remarkable late-innings assault that transformed Pakistan’s fortunes.
He shared a crucial 121-run ninth-wicket partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who contributed a patient 42 from 67 balls, including two sixes and five fours.
Pakistan, who had conceded a 320-run first-innings lead, appeared to be heading for a heavy defeat when they slipped to 318-8. Instead, the tail-enders dragged the tourists to 449 all out in 96.4 overs, leaving England to chase 130 for victory. England will start their chase on the fourth day on Saturday.
Razaullah was eventually stumped by stand-in wicketk-eeper Jordan Cox off the bowling of Dan Lawrence, but by then Pakistan had given themselves an unexpected chance of salvaging some pride from a difficult series.
Earlier, Shan Masood, Babar Azam and Azan Awais provided the foundation for the recovery after Pakistan resumed on 56-2.
Azan and Shan added 123 for the third wicket before Lawrence ended the partnership when Azan was caught down the leg side for 59 after an England review overturned the on-field decision. Shan followed for 95, falling five runs short of a century after striking 12 fours in a determined 148-ball innings.
Babar then combined with Saud Shakeel to add 64 for the fifth wicket. The Pakistan captain made 76, his first half-century of the tour, before Josh Tongue had him caught behind by Cox. Babar struck 11 fours and a six in a 103-ball innings lasting 161 minutes.
Saud made 29 before Jofra Archer removed him, leaving Pakistan at 306-6. Gus Atkinson then struck twice in quick succession to dismiss Ghazi Ghori for 16 and Mohammad Imran Randhawa for four.
With Pakistan eight down and still trailing, Razaullah and Abbas produced the decisive counterattack. Atkinson finished with 3-109, while Robinson, Tongue and Lawrence claimed two wickets each. Robinson took five wickets in the match and Tongue six.
Archer, who took 3-25 in Pakistan’s first innings, went wicketless in the second.