Pakistan debutant Razaullah produced an extraordinary lower-order counterattack on Day 3 (Friday, September 11) of the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston. The 21-year-old fast bowler equalled an 18-year-old world record for the most sixes by a batter on Test debut.
Razaullah helped Pakistan recover from a massive 320-run first-innings deficit to post 449 in their second innings. He took on England’s bowling attack, comprising Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue. The right-handed batter scored 81 runs off 63 balls, with the help of four fours and nine sixes.
Razaullah Equals Tim Southee’s 18-Year-Old Test Debut Record
Razaullah, who smashed nine sixes, equalled the world record for the most sixes by a batter on Test debut. New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee had set the record with an unbeaten 77 off 40 balls from No. 10, including nine sixes, against England at Napier in 2008.
Razaullah also equalled England captain Ben Stokes’ record for the most sixes in a Test innings in England. Stokes had hit nine maximums against Australia at Lord’s in 2023. Razaullah also set a Pakistan record for the fastest fifty on Test debut, reaching the milestone in 43 balls.
Most sixes on Test debut:
| Player | Country | Runs | Sixes | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Southee | New Zealand | 77* | 9 | England | Napier | 22 Mar 2008 |
| Razaullah | Pakistan | 81 | 9 | England | Birmingham | 9 Sep 2026 |
| Kyle Mayers | West Indies | 210* | 7 | Bangladesh | Chattogram | 3 Feb 2021 |
| Michael Clarke | Australia | 151 | 4 | India | Bengaluru | 6 Oct 2004 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | 87 | 4 | Bangladesh | Chattogram | 5 Sep 2019 |
Most runs while batting at number nine on Test debut:
Razaullah also matched the world record for the highest individual score by a No. 9 batter on Test debut. He equalled South Africa’s Corbin Bosch, who scored an unbeaten 81 against Pakistan at Centurion in December 2024.
| Player | Country | Runs | Balls | Opposition | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corbin Bosch | South Africa | 81* | 93 | Pakistan | 26 Dec 2024 |
| Razaullah | Pakistan | 81 | 63 | England | 9 Sep 2026 |
| Ramesh Mendis Rathnayaka | Sri Lanka | 72 | 135 | England | 21 Aug 2024 |
| Balwinder Sandhu | India | 71 | 88 | Pakistan | 14 Jan 1983 |
| Devon Gough | England | 65 | 126 | — | — |
Razaullah and Mohammad Abbas Frustrate England With Record Ninth-Wicket Stand
Pakistan were in deep trouble at 318/8 when Razaullah joined veteran seamer Mohammad Abbas at the crease. The pair launched a spirited counterattack, adding 121 runs for the ninth wicket to take Pakistan from trouble to a fighting total of 439/9.
Abbas played a crucial supporting role, scoring his highest Test score of 42 with two sixes. Their 121-run partnership became the highest ninth-wicket stand against England in Tests since 1984.
The tailenders also produced a unique statistical feat. Razaullah hit nine sixes, while Abbas cleared the ropes twice. As a result, Pakistan’s Nos. 9, 10, and 11 combined for 11 sixes, the most ever by the bottom three batters in a Test innings.
Razaullah was eventually stumped by Jordan Cox off Dan Lawrence for 81, bringing Pakistan’s second innings to an end at 449. England will need to chase a target of 130 runs in the fourth innings to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
“I Wasn’t Scared of Pace” - Razaullah Reflects on Fearless Approach
England’s pace attack used a barrage of short-pitched deliveries, with Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue testing the debutant. However, Razaullah repeatedly attacked deliveries on a hard length, taking advantage of England’s loose lines on a flat Edgbaston pitch.
Speaking after the day’s play, Razaullah said he enjoyed the challenge of facing England’s aggressive fast bowlers rather than feeling intimidated by them.
“I was being selective with which balls to slog, but they all seemed within range. I wanted to take it as deep as possible. I wasn't scared of pace. I wanted to punish the balls from Archer that landed on a hard length. There's nothing to be scared of when you're playing for your country. I was just enjoying myself,” Razaullah said.
“I enjoyed the standing ovation. I like to enjoy life, and I was relishing the moment. My favourite ball [to face] is the short ball. I just believed in myself. I thought if I played 50 balls, I'd get a positive result. And thankfully that happened,” he added.
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