Razaullah silences passport controversy after heroics

Birmingham: Pakistan’s right-handed fast bowler Razaullah has dismissed reports that he did not have a passport when he was called up for the England Test series and that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) arranged one for him on an emergency basis.

Razaullah made headlines during the third day of the third Test against England at Edgbaston after producing a sensational 81-run knock off just 63 balls. Batting at No. 9, he smashed four boundaries and nine sixes to put Pakistan back into the contest.

The 21-year-old, who was born in Upper Dir and has represented Peshawar Region in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, said his passport had actually been issued around a year ago.

He explained that he had been preparing for the Asian Games in Japan when officials at the PCB’s High Performance Centre in Lahore informed him that he would be travelling to England.

Razaullah credited his parents’ prayers for helping him earn the opportunity to represent Pakistan at the international level. He also thanked Allah for enabling him to score valuable runs against England’s bowlers in the second innings.

The young pacer revealed that he had previously opened the batting in first-class cricket. He said he enjoyed taking on England’s bowlers and playing an attacking innings.

Asked whether he had requested the coach to promote him up the batting order, Razaullah smiled and said it was his first Test match, so he could not have made such a request.

However, he added that the innings had given him confidence. He said the coach had also seen him bat and that he would consider moving up the order in the future if the situation required it.

Razaullah played a crucial role in Pakistan’s second innings at Edgbaston. After half-centuries from Shan Masood, Azaan Awais and captain Babar Azam, he became Pakistan’s fourth batter to reach fifty in the innings.

The fast bowler then formed a crucial 121-run ninth-wicket partnership with Mohammad Abbas. Their stand helped Pakistan avoid an innings defeat and gave England a target of 130 runs in the second innings.

Abbas also contributed with the bat, recording a career-best 42 during the partnership.