Pakistan's Remarkable Comeback in Final Test Against England
Pakistan Stages a Strong Fightback
On day three of the concluding Test match against England at Edgbaston, Pakistan showcased a remarkable recovery, thanks to significant contributions from Shan Masood, captain Babar Azam, and a late-order surge by debutant Razaullah and Mohammed Abbas.
By the end of the day's play, Pakistan had been bowled out for 449, setting a target of 130 runs for England, who had previously scored 453 in their first innings, following Pakistan's initial total of 133. This score of 449 marks Pakistan's highest team total in England since they achieved 542 in the second innings at The Oval in 2016.
Top Order Resilience from Masood and Babar
Beginning the day at 52/2, Azan Awais (29*) and Shan Masood (21*) continued their partnership after Pakistan's shaky start. 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 ended their partnership by dismissing Awais for 59 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, featuring 12 fours. This broke their 89-run partnership, leaving Pakistan at 214/4.
Babar achieved his first fifty of the series in 76 balls, with eight fours, as Pakistan aimed to close the gap on the 320-run deficit. Yet, a 64-run partnership between Babar and Saud Shakeel was cut short by Josh Tongue, who dismissed Babar for 76 off 103 balls, including 11 fours and a six, leaving Pakistan at 278 runs with five wickets down.
Debutant Razaullah Shines with Record Performance
Following a series of quick wickets, Pakistan found themselves at 318/8. Nevertheless, Razaullah remained undeterred, hitting a massive six against Tongue to give Pakistan the lead.
Razaullah was aggressive, smashing Atkinson for three sixes in the 79th over, while Abbas also contributed with some boundaries, pushing their total past 400 runs. Razaullah hit Jofra Archer for consecutive sixes, reaching his fifty in just 43 balls, with three fours and five sixes, as Pakistan crossed the 400-run threshold.
The pair continued to dominate the English bowlers, forming a century partnership for the ninth wicket in just 95 balls. Tongue eventually broke the entertaining 121-run partnership by dismissing Abbas, who scored a solid 42 off 67 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
Lawrence soon claimed the final wicket of Razaullah, who scored an exhilarating 81 off 63 balls, featuring four boundaries and nine sixes. His nine sixes matched the record for the most sixes by a player on Test debut, previously held by New Zealand's Tim Southee. Pakistan concluded their innings with a 129-run lead at 449.
Match Summary
Atkinson was the standout bowler for England with figures of 3/109, while Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, and Lawrence each took 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.