BIRMINGHAM, Debutant fast bowler Razaullah announced himself on the big stage with the prized wicket of Joe Root as Pakistan fought back on a dramatic opening day of the third Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday.At stumps, England were 156 for 4, leading by 23 runs after 14 wickets tumbled on a bowler-friendly day.
England pace trio rips through Pakistan
Put into bat, Pakistan collapsed to 26 for 4 inside 10 overs against England’s seam attack. *Saud Shakeel* led the fightback with a fluent 43 off 47 balls, 7 fours, but received little support. Mohammad Abbas added 21 and debutant Razaullah chipped in with 11, hitting two boundaries.
Pakistan was bowled out for 133 in 33.5 overs. Josh Tongue led the way with 4 wickets, while Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer took 3 apiece, Pakistan handed Test caps to Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah for the series finale. Razaullah’s dream debut.
Pakistan’s bowlers hit back immediately. Mohammad Ali removed Ben Duckett for 11 and Mohammad Abbas got Jordan Cox for 4 to leave England 24 for 2. The moment of the day came in the 15th over when Razaullah, playing his first Test, trapped England captain Joe Root lbw for 8 to claim his maiden Test wicket. He struck again late in the day, breaking a 104-run stand by bowling Emilio Gay for 60 with 9 fours.Razaullah finished with excellent figures of 2-42 from 9 overs on debut.
Harry Brook held the England innings together with an unbeaten 52 off 76 balls. Alongside Dan Lawrence (5), Brook guided England to 156-4 and a 23-run first-innings lead at close.
With the series already lost 2-0, Pakistan will look for early wickets on day two to get back into the contest. England will aim to build a big lead through Brook and Lawrence.
