Pakistan's Remarkable Comeback in Final Test Against England
Pakistan Stages a Strong Fightback at Edgbaston
Edgbaston [UK], September 12: Pakistan showcased a resilient performance on day three of the final Test against England, thanks to significant contributions from Shan Masood and captain Babar Azam, along with a late surge from debutant Razaullah and Mohammed Abbas.
By the end of the day's play, Pakistan had been bowled out for 449, setting England a target of 130 runs to chase, following England's first innings total of 453 in response to Pakistan's initial score of 133.
This total of 449 marks Pakistan's highest score in England since they achieved 542 in the second innings at The Oval in 2016.
Starting the day at 52/2, Azan Awais (29*) and Shan Masood (21*) continued their partnership after Pakistan's shaky start at 0/2.
Shan reached his half-century off 81 balls, hitting seven fours, while Azan followed suit with his fifty in 78 balls, including nine fours, helping Pakistan surpass the 100-run mark.
England's Dan Lawrence broke their partnership by dismissing Awais for 59 runs off 84 balls, leaving Pakistan at 125/3.
Masood and Babar then propelled the innings forward, pushing Pakistan past the 200-run mark. However, Gus Atkinson struck again, sending Shan back for a well-played 95 off 148 balls, which included 12 fours, breaking their 89-run partnership at 214/4.
Babar secured his first fifty of the series in 76 balls, hitting eight fours, as Pakistan aimed to close the gap on England's score. Yet, a 64-run partnership between Babar and Saud Shakeel ended when Josh Tongue dismissed Babar for 76 runs off 103 balls, featuring 11 fours and a six, leaving Pakistan at 278/5.
Following a flurry of quick wickets, Pakistan found themselves at 318/8. Nevertheless, Razaullah remained undeterred, hitting a massive six against Tongue to give Pakistan a lead.
Razaullah was relentless, smashing Atkinson for three sixes in the 79th over, while Abbas also contributed with some boundaries, providing Pakistan with a fighting chance.
Razaullah launched back-to-back sixes off Jofra Archer, reaching his fifty in just 43 balls, with three fours and five sixes, as Pakistan crossed the 400-run mark.
The pair continued to dominate the English bowlers, forming a century partnership for the ninth wicket in just 95 balls.
Tongue eventually ended the entertaining 121-run partnership by dismissing Abbas for a solid 42 off 67 balls, which included five fours and two sixes. Lawrence soon took the final wicket of Razaullah, who scored an exciting 81 off 63 balls, featuring four boundaries and nine sixes, tying with New Zealand's Tim Southee for the most sixes by a batter on Test debut.
Pakistan concluded their innings with a 129-run lead at 449. Gus Atkinson was the standout bowler for England, taking 3 wickets for 109 runs, while Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, and Lawrence each claimed two wickets.
England: 453: (Harry Brook: 75, Jamie Smith: 69, Razaullah: 4/148) trail Pakistan: 133 and 449 (Shan Masood: 95, Razaullah: 81, Gus Atkinson: 3/109) by 129 runs.