Razaullah's Remarkable Test Debut: Four Wickets, Nine Sixes and 81 Runs

Birmingham, September 12, 2026: Razaullah arrived at Edgbaston as a little-known fast bowler with just eight first-class matches behind him. By the end of the third day's play on Friday, he had taken four wickets in his first Test innings with the ball and struck nine sixes in a remarkable 81 with the bat.

His late counterattack helped Pakistan turn a heavy first-innings deficit into a lead, extending the final Test against England into a fourth day. For a side already 2-0 down in the series, it was a welcome burst of resistance from a player at the beginning of his international career.

An Immediate Impression With the Ball

The 21-year-old had little red-ball experience to draw on when Pakistan handed him a debut. That made the speed of his impact striking: Joe Root became his first Test wicket in his opening over, and he also removed Emilio Gay on day one.

The Pakistan Cricket Board's opening-day report recorded figures of two for 42 from nine overs at stumps, with England 156 for four after dismissing Pakistan for 133. The ICC also highlighted his pace and bounce, noting that he had played only eight first-class matches before this appearance.

There was encouragement in those early wickets, but the challenge became harder as England's innings continued. Razaullah eventually finished with four for 148 from 23 overs, figures that combined genuine wicket-taking threat with an expensive return.

England Build a 320-Run Advantage

On Thursday, England turned their overnight position into 453 all out. Razaullah added the wickets of Jamie Smith and Ollie Robinson to his opening-day pair, according to the PCB's second-day report.

That total left Pakistan 320 runs behind. Their second innings then began with two wickets falling before a run had been scored, before Azan Awais and Shan Masood steadied the innings to 52 for two when rain ended the day's play.

The task was therefore not simply to bat better. Pakistan needed a substantial recovery just to make England bat again.

Nine Sixes Change the Mood

Friday finally brought a stronger response. Masood made 95, Babar Azam 76 and Awais 59, providing the foundation for the lower order's late attack. Masood, rather than Razaullah, finished as Pakistan's highest scorer in the innings.

Razaullah's contribution was different in character: Sky Sports reported 81 from 63 balls, including nine sixes. He shared a 121-run partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who scored 42, helping Pakistan reach 449 and leaving England a target of 130.

The debutant's innings ended when he was stumped off Dan Lawrence at the close of play. The match would return on Saturday rather than finish inside three days.

A Memorable Debut, With Work Still to Do

England remained well placed to complete a clean sweep, and one spirited innings could not erase Pakistan's difficulties across the series. It did, however, give the tourists something more substantial than a brief moment of encouragement.

Razaullah's first Test had already shown both sides of a young fast bowler's introduction to this level: wickets and expensive overs, followed by an unexpected contribution with the bat. His long-term development will require more than one match, but his debut has given Pakistan a performance worth remembering.