Razaullah heroics deny England quickfire win in 3rd Test against Pakistan

Debutant Razaullah smashed 81 off 63 balls to give Pakistan a late lift against England on Friday, setting the hosts 130 runs to win the third Test at Edgbaston.

How many runs do England need to win the third Test?

England need 130 runs to beat Pakistan and complete a 3-0 series whitewash after the tourists fought back dramatically on the third day at Edgbaston. Razaullah struck nine sixes in a remarkable debut innings, while Mohammad Abbas added 42 to extend England’s wait for victory.

The fast bowler came to the crease with Pakistan on the brink of defeat but launched an astonishing counter-attack. He and Abbas took Pakistan from 318-8 to 439-9 before Razaullah was finally dismissed.

The pair added 121 runs for the ninth wicket, with Razaullah reaching his fifty from 43 balls. He smashed Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer for sixes before taking Lawrence into the stands in the final over.

Razaullah was eventually stumped by stand-in wicketkeeper Jordan Cox off Lawrence for 81, prompting applause from the Edgbaston crowd.

Earlier, Pakistan had finally shown some resistance with the bat after struggling throughout the series.

How did Pakistan fight back against England?

Shan Masood scored 95 and captain Babar Azam made 76 as Pakistan passed 200 for the first time in the series at the sixth attempt.

Pakistan, facing a first-innings deficit of 320, lost two wickets without scoring on Thursday. Opener Azan Awais and Masood then steadied the innings, taking the score to 125 before Awais was dismissed for 59.

Masood fell five runs short of his eighth Test hundred after a sensational slip catch by Dan Lawrence off Gus Atkinson. Azam then batted fluently before edging Josh Tongue to Cox.

Saud Shakeel was dismissed for 29, while further catches by Cox accounted for Ghazi Ghori and Mohammad Imran.

Razaullah and Abbas then produced Pakistan’s late surge. Abbas hit Robinson for six before eventually falling to Tongue for 42.

Razaullah’s innings included four fours and nine sixes, while he had also taken four wickets in England’s first innings.

England had bowled Pakistan out for 133 on the opening day before making 453 at a brisk pace.

Joe Root’s side have dominated the series, winning the first Test by an innings and 103 runs and the second by 194 runs.

Pakistan released seven players and sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul after the second Test defeat, making four changes to their side for the third Test in Birmingham.

England will return on Saturday needing 130 runs to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.