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Pakistan vs England produced a dramatic turnaround on the third day of the final Test at Edgbaston, with Pakistan overcoming a huge first-innings deficit to avoid an innings defeat and set England a target of 130 runs.
Pakistan were bowled out for 449 in their second innings after a remarkable display of resistance. The visitors had been 320 runs behind after England posted 453 in the first innings, but a determined batting effort transformed what appeared to be a straightforward victory for the hosts into a competitive fourth-day chase.
Pakistan vs England Fightback Changes the Contest
The Pakistan vs England contest appeared heavily tilted in England’s favour after Pakistan were dismissed for only 133 in their first innings. England then established a commanding position with 453, leaving Pakistan facing the prospect of another emphatic defeat.
However, Pakistan’s second innings developed into a completely different story.
Captain Shan Masood led the recovery with a composed 95, narrowly missing what would have been his eighth Test century. His innings provided stability at a crucial stage before England eventually found a way to remove him.
Babar Azam also made a valuable contribution, scoring 76 as Pakistan gradually reduced the deficit. Azan Awais added 59, while Saud Shakeel contributed 29 before England removed the established batters.
The performance was particularly significant given Pakistan’s difficult batting displays earlier in the series.
Razaullah Produces Stunning Test Debut
The defining moment of Pakistan’s recovery came from debutant fast bowler Razaullah, who turned into an unexpected batting hero.
Coming to the crease with Pakistan still eight runs short of England’s first-innings total, Razaullah attacked the bowling with remarkable confidence. The 21-year-old smashed nine sixes on his way to an outstanding 81, dramatically changing the momentum of the match.
His aggressive stroke play forced England captain Joe Root to adjust his tactics, with England employing defensive field settings and short-ball plans in an effort to contain the lower order.
Razaullah’s innings was particularly remarkable because he had already made a major impact with the ball on his Test debut. He took four wickets for 148 runs in England’s first innings, including the wickets of Joe Root, Emilio Gay, Jamie Smith and Ollie Robinson.
Lower Order Frustrates England
Mohammad Abbas provided crucial support to Razaullah during the late-innings assault. The pair added a three-figure partnership that pushed Pakistan from a position of serious danger into a position where England would have to bat again.
The lower-order resistance ultimately enabled Pakistan to reach 449, giving them a lead of 129 runs over England. With England needing 130 to win, Pakistan had transformed the match from an expected innings defeat into a potentially challenging chase.
England’s bowlers had dominated Pakistan during the opening stages of the match, but they struggled to finish the innings quickly once Pakistan’s lower order began attacking.
The turnaround also exposed a potential weakness in England’s strategy. The hosts entered the match with a pace-heavy attack and no specialist frontline spinner, while Pakistan’s batters found it easier to score once the ball stopped moving sharply off the surface.
England Face 130-Run Chase
England now require 130 runs on the fourth day to complete victory at Edgbaston.
The target remains relatively modest, and England will enter the chase as strong favourites after dominating the opening two Tests and establishing a substantial first-innings advantage in Birmingham.
Nevertheless, Pakistan’s late resistance has given the visitors renewed hope. Their bowlers now have an opportunity to defend a total that would have seemed almost impossible when the second innings began.
Pakistan’s Razaullah could again be central to that effort after his four-wicket haul earlier in the match. The debutant has already demonstrated that he can influence the contest with both bat and ball.
Pakistan Fight to Avoid Whitewash
England entered the Birmingham Test with a 2-0 series lead following convincing victories in the opening two matches. The first Test ended in an innings-and-103-run defeat for Pakistan, while England won the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs.
Pakistan’s dramatic second-innings recovery cannot change the series result, but it has prevented another innings defeat and given the visitors a final opportunity to produce a surprise result.
The fourth-day chase will therefore determine whether England complete a clean sweep or Pakistan can produce one of the biggest fightbacks of the tour.
For Pakistan, the challenge is straightforward: defend 130 runs and keep the series from ending with another defeat. For England, the task is to finish the job after a day in which Pakistan’s lower order unexpectedly turned the match into a contest.See More on Pulse Pakistan
