Razaullah: 'Razball' reigns as Pakistan thrive in the madness against England on day three at Edgbaston - BBC Sport
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Razaullah introduces himself as Pakistan thrive in the madness
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(7 minutes ago)
Figure caption: 'He's become a star' - watch the best shots of Razaullah's stunning innings
By
- Timothy Abraham*
BBC Sport journalist at Edgbaston
Published
7 minutes ago
Cancel the tee booked at the Belfry, rearrange the trip to Cadbury World and abort the shopping jolly to the Bullring.
The reason? Pakistan debutant Razaullah and Razball.
England's bowlers were thwarted by a Pakistan side who mixed batting belligerence with brilliance and instead of a Saturday off must reconvene at Edgbaston for day four.
The brilliance was provided by Razaullah
Who produced a dizzying knock to breathe life into the third Test and lift the spirits of Pakistan supporters everywhere. A new hero, a new hope.
Bazball might be on its way out, but has Birmingham might just witnessed the birth of new phenomenon during two hours of unbridled chaos during which he made a stunning 81 off 63 balls coming in at number nine.
A raw 21-year-old with just eight first-class matches to his name, better known as a tearaway fast bowler reminiscent of Waqar Younis, was probably not a name on the radar of England's bowlers when he was called up amid wholesale changes made by Pakistan
heading into the final Test.
A raw 21-year-old with potential
After some blistering strokeplay when he took down the home side's attack, they certainly know who he is now.
There were shades of Shahid Afridi and Saeed Anwar in the flamboyant nature of the way Razaullah flayed England to all parts.
He took three bats to the crease but broke two with his explosive hitting.
"It's the first time he's been out there for Pakistan ever, and absolutely lights up the show. This is the attitude that was needed," said former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja on BBC Test Match Special.
"Someone with a strong body language and who believes in himself. They'll want him playing all formats because he's a natural in mind, body language and attitude. It was a tremendous fightback."
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(1 hour ago)
Watch extended highlights on BBC iPlayer
'Pakistan have unearthed a gem'
At times when Razaullah - who has one first-class century - was going berserk Joe Root wore the expression of a chess player waiting for someone to tell him it was his move.
Root stationed eight fielders on the boundary at one point - but it did not deter Razaullah as he brashly swaggered at the crease with the arrogance of youth.
This was a special innings.
Razaullah's nine sixes is the joint-most ever in a Test innings in England. The other is Ben Stokes' famous 155 with nine against Australia in the Ashes Test in 2023.
He hit as many sixes as Sir Geoffrey Boycott did in his 108-Test career.