Pakistan’s 21-year-old debutant Razaullah produced a remarkable all-round performance against England, scoring 81 runs and taking four wickets at Edgbaston.
Pakistan may have suffered an eight-wicket defeat to England in the third Test at Edgbaston, completing a 3-0 series whitewash, but debutant fast bowler Razaullah emerged as one of the biggest positives for the visitors.
The 21-year-old made an immediate impact with both bat and ball, taking four wickets in the match before producing a stunning counterattacking innings of 81 runs from just 63 balls. His knock included four fours and nine sixes and helped Pakistan avoid an innings defeat before setting England a target of 130.
Razaullah came to the crease at No. 9 with Pakistan in serious trouble at 318 for eight and still trailing England. Rather than retreating into a defensive approach, the young pacer attacked the England bowling, forming a crucial 121-run ninth-wicket partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who scored 42.
His half-century came from just 43 balls, making it the fastest fifty by a Pakistani batter on Test debut. Razaullah eventually fell for 81, but his aggressive innings lifted Pakistan to 449 and gave the team a chance to make England bat again.
Record-breaking debut
Razaullah’s nine sixes equalled the Test debut record previously held by New Zealand’s Tim Southee. His nine maximums also matched the record for most sixes in a Test innings in England, a mark previously set by Ben Stokes.
His 81 also placed him among the highest-scoring players to make their Test debut while batting at No. 9 or lower. ICC reported that he recorded the highest score by a debutant batting at No. 9 or lower in Pakistan’s innings, although overall Test history includes higher scores from players in that position.
Impact with the ball
Razaullah was equally impressive with the ball. He finished the match with four wickets, including the prized dismissal of England captain Joe Root in his very first Test over.
He trapped Root lbw for eight on debut before later dismissing England opener Emilio Gay. The Pakistan Cricket Board highlighted his two wickets on the opening day, while his final match tally reached four wickets.
The defeat meant England completed an 8-wicket victory and a 3-0 series sweep, but Razaullah’s performance provided Pakistan with a rare bright spot from a difficult tour.
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