09/11/26 01:38:00
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09/11 13:36 CDT Razaullah's six-hitting debut caps Pakistan's stunning
fightback in Edgbaston test
Razaullah's six-hitting debut caps Pakistan's stunning fightback in Edgbaston
test
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) --- Sensational six-hitting by No. 9 batter Razaullah
Khan on debut capped an extraordinary Pakistan fightback against England in the
Edgbaston cricket test on Friday.
The Pakistanis were expected to follow the previous two tests in the series and
be cleaned up during day three of the third and last test by an England pace
attack that has been rampant against the lackluster visitors.
But Pakistan finally flexed its batting muscles to be dismissed for 449 in the
last over of the day, snatch a lead of 129 runs and force a fourth day of
action nobody predicted.
England needs 130 runs on Saturday to complete a first three-test whitewash
since 2024 on the same ground against the West Indies.
Gutsy half-centuries by Shan Masood (95), captain Babar Azam (76) and opener
Azan Awais (59) lifted Pakistan to the brink of wiping out a 320-run deficit on
the first innings, then Razaullah and No. 10 batter Mohammad Abbas smashed past
it in style in a thrilling late-day partnership.
Razaullah, who has a first-class century, hammered nine sixes, tied for the
most in an innings in England with Ben Stokes in the 2023 Ashes at Lord's.
His first six gave Pakistan the lead and he hit three sixes in an over off Gus
Atkinson. His fifth six off Jofra Archer got him a 43-ball fifty. His next six
off Archer earned Pakistan's 400.
Abbas was out for a career-best 42, including two sixes and five boundaries,
ending an entertaining partnership of 121 from 123 balls. It was the highest
ninth-wicket stand against England since 1984.
Abbas walked off to a standing ovation and Razaullah received the same when he
was stumped for 81 off 63 balls just moments before scheduled stumps.
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