Imagine being down, almost out, in a Test match. Your team is staring down the barrel of a series sweep, and then a debutant walks in. Not just any debutant, but a fast bowler, Razaullah, who apparently decided that 'fast bowler' was merely a suggestion and 'power hitter' was his true calling.
He proceeded to unleash nine sixes and an astonishing 81 runs off just 63 balls. This wasn't just a good innings; it was a defiant, jaw-dropping stand that dragged Pakistan back from the brink against England in the third Test at Edgbaston. They were 318-8, staring at a swift defeat. Razaullah and fellow bowler Mohammad Abbas then decided to turn the scoreboard into a pinball machine, pushing it to 439-9. England, it seems, had forgotten to bring their off switch.
The Unlikely Comeback
This unexpected display of pure audacity means the game, much to England's chagrin, will continue into Saturday. England now needs 130 runs to win and complete their 3-0 series sweep. Which, given the recent fireworks, suddenly feels a lot less certain.
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Start Your News DetoxEarlier in the game, Shan Masood and captain Babar Azam did some respectable batting, scoring 95 and 76 respectively. This marked the first time Pakistan had even crossed 200 runs in the series, which tells you everything you need to know about their previous form. They'd even lost two wickets on Thursday without scoring a single run, just to set the stage for maximum drama.
Then came Razaullah. He wasted no time, launching three sixes off Gus Atkinson in a mere four balls. He and Abbas, whose previous highest Test score was a modest 29, quickly forged a 50-run partnership. Abbas even got in on the six-hitting action himself, sending one soaring off Ollie Robinson. Razaullah then brought up his fifty off just 43 balls with his fifth six, this one off Jofra Archer, because why not? He followed it up with another six on the very next ball, just to make a point. The pair eventually built a 121-run partnership for the ninth wicket before Abbas was finally caught for 42 runs. Razaullah kept swinging, pushing into the 80s in the final over before finally being stumped for 81, having hit four fours and those nine glorious sixes.
He also took four wickets in England's first innings, just in case anyone forgot he was actually a bowler. This performance is particularly sweet considering England had bowled Pakistan out for a paltry 133 on day one and then racked up 453 runs themselves. The series had been dominated by England, leading to Pakistan making some rather drastic changes, including releasing seven players and swapping out their coaching staff. Looks like someone needed a hero, and Razaullah decided to answer the call, bat in hand.
