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England vs Pakistan third Test match is ongoing at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Babar Azam’s Pakistan displayed a fightback in the second innings; they started the innings 320 runs behind, and they have now provided a decent target of 130 runs to the home side. Tailender Razaullah smacked 81 runs and batted brilliantly, and helped his side to get to a decent total.
After Razaullah’s fiery innings against the Three Lions, some former England cricketers have shared their annoyance over the innings and believed that there were no plans against him as the debutant smacked the England bowlers all over the park on Day 3 of the third Test match. Former captain Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan and former pacer Jonathan Agnew all voiced their frustration.
"What I saw was no plan" - Sir Alastair Cook slams England bowlers after Razaullah’s fiery innings
Firstly, former England opener and captain Sir Alastair Cook was infuriated by how the English bowlers bowled on Day 3 of the Test match. He believes that the bowlers can get smacked by the tailenders as they have the license to go and smash the ball, but he was angry as the former skipper did not see any kind of plan from Joe Root or the bowlers to get Razaullah out.
"You can get done by the tail - it's very hard when people have the license and ability to hit sixes," Cook told the BBC Test Match Special. "What I saw was no plan; it got out of control. That's when you need the backroom staff and coaches to step up. I would have loved to have seen a message and some real leadership from the coaches," he added.
"You cannot and should not bowl like that": Jonathan Agnew on England bowlers failing to bowl out Pakistan early
Jonathan Agnew also came in support with Alastair Cook, as he was also displeased with the way the England bowlers bowled while Razaullah and Mohammad Abbas stitched a 121-run partnership for the ninth wicket, which frustrated the whole English side and the former players as well.
"You cannot and should not bowl like that to tailenders as soon as they come in," he said. "You have to set the tone when you're bowling against tailenders. Yes, you bowl aggressively, but in a controlled way. They are numbers nine and 10 for a reason."
"It was bitterly disappointing. Dan Lawrence is a part-time off-spinner, and he took the second new ball. If you're looking for any aspect of the day that is utterly bonkers, that is it," he added.
Michael Vaughan takes a swipe at English bowlers after Razaullah's innings
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was no different as he also slammed the bowlers and the whole team. Though he believes England will win this game, they cannot make these kinds of mistakes of leaking out cheap runs every time.
"We shouldn't be surprised by England; they've delivered tactically like this on a regular basis. I think they'll win this game, but they can't keep making mistakes like that. The basics of Test cricket generally work, and that's to hit the top of the stumps."
"It's a bit of a warning sign that this attack is very good, but they aren't the finished article just yet. Who are the characters in the team who are going to grab a hold of everyone and say, 'Right, I'm going to make a moment'. I didn't see it from anyone today," he said.
Pakistan fight back thanks to Razaullah
England bowled Pakistan out for 133 runs in the first innings, and then they scored 453 and took a lead of 320 runs. Everyone believed that Pakistan would suffer an innings defeat, until fighting knocks from Shan Masood, Azan Awais, skipper Babar Azam, Razaullah and Mohammad Abbas came.
Based on their respective innings, the Men in Green not only saved the innings defeat but they also managed to put a small yet decent total of 130 runs.
