Razaullah’s record-breaking 81 stuns England at Edgbaston

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan’s 21-year-old all-rounder Razaullah turned a gloomy day for Pakistan into a memorable personal milestone as he smashed a sensational 81 on his Test debut against England at Edgbaston.

Walking in at No. 9, Razaullah produced an attacking masterclass, scoring his 81 runs from only 63 balls. His innings included nine sixes and four boundaries, helping Pakistan avoid an innings defeat and force the match into a fourth day.

Razaullah found an unlikely but crucial partner in Mohammad Abbas, who contributed a career-best 42. The pair added a remarkable 121-run partnership, rescuing Pakistan after the team had been under severe pressure.

The Mardan-born batter’s nine sixes immediately put him in elite company. He equalled the record for the most sixes scored by a batter on Test debut, matching New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who hit nine against England in Napier in 2008.

But Razaullah was not finished rewriting the record books.

His nine sixes also equalled the record for the most sixes by a batter in a Test innings in England. Former England captain Ben Stokes had previously achieved the feat against Australia during the 2023 Ashes.

Razaullah also registered the highest score by a Pakistan batter batting at No. 9 or lower on Test debut. The previous mark was held by Rashid Khan, who scored 59 at No. 10 against Sri Lanka in the early 1980s.

His rapid scoring created another remarkable piece of Test history. With Abbas hitting two sixes, Pakistan’s batters at Nos. 9, 10 and 11 collectively struck 11 sixes, becoming the first such trio in the 149-year history of Test cricket to reach that figure in a single innings.

Razaullah’s half-century was equally impressive. He reached 50 from just 43 balls, becoming the first Pakistan batter to score a fifty on Test debut in fewer than 50 deliveries.

Before him, Faheem Ashraf held Pakistan’s record after reaching his debut fifty from 52 balls against Ireland in 2018.

While Pakistan’s tour of England has been challenging, Razaullah’s fearless debut has provided a much-needed spark. His extraordinary innings not only kept Pakistan alive in the Test but also announced the arrival of a young player capable of making an immediate impact on the international stage.