The Pakistan vs England 3rd Test at Edgbaston has turned into the one game of the series where Pakistan actually showed some fight. After two one-sided defeats, this final match gave fans something to talk about, a 21-year-old debutant who smashed nine sixes and dragged his team back into contention.
Pakistan set England a target of 130 to win the third and final Test at Edgbaston, after debutant fast bowler Razaullah smashed 81 off 63 balls in a lower-order stand with Mohammad Abbas. England already lead the series 2-0 after wins in Leeds and at Lord’s, so a win here completes a 3-0 whitewash. The chase resumes on day four with England needing 130 more runs to win.
How the Series Got Here
England came into this Pakistan vs England series full of confidence, and it showed. In the first Test at Leeds, Pakistan collapsed for 171 and 135, and England won by an innings and 103 runs. The second Test at Lord’s went much the same way. Pakistan set England 389 to win, then folded for 194, handing the hosts a 194-run victory.
Two Tests in, England had already wrapped up the series. Pakistan came into the third Test at Edgbaston with nothing to play for except pride, and after their coaching staff and several players were shuffled out following the Lord’s defeat, a young and inexperienced side walked out at Edgbaston.
Day One and Two: England in Control, Again
The pattern looked set to repeat itself. Pakistan were bowled out for just 133 in their first innings, lasting only 34 overs. England’s reply was much steadier. Harry Brook made 75 and Jamie Smith added 69, with debutant Razaullah picking up 4 wickets with the ball, as England posted 453. That gave the hosts a lead of 320 runs, enough for most teams to shut the door on the match.
Day Three: Pakistan Finally Fight Back
Day three is where this Test became worth writing about. Pakistan slipped to 2 for 2 early on, staring at another innings defeat. Then Shan Masood and Azan Awais put together a 125-run stand, the first century partnership by Pakistan’s batters all series. Masood went on to score 95, and when he fell, Babar Azam kept things going, adding 89 runs with his captain for the fourth wicket.
England’s short-ball tactics eventually worked, removing Babar and Saud Shakeel, and it looked like Pakistan’s recognised batters were done. That’s when Razaullah walked in at number 9.
The 21-year-old had already picked up four wickets in England’s first innings. With the bat, he took the attack straight to England’s bowlers, hitting three sixes off Gus Atkinson in four balls and nine sixes in total, equalling a Test record for a debutant. His 81 off 63 balls, alongside a 121-run stand with Mohammad Abbas (who made a career-best 42), pushed Pakistan to 449 all out. That set England a target of 130 runs to win.
It wasn’t a match-winning score, but it turned a dead rubber into an actual contest, and gave Pakistan fans a debutant to be excited about heading into the future.
Day Four: The Chase Begins
Pakistan vs England now heads into day four with England needing 130 runs to complete a 3-0 series sweep. On paper, that should be a straightforward chase for a batting lineup that has looked strong all series. Brook, Smith, and the rest of England’s top order have had control of this series from the first ball, and a target this small rarely troubles a side batting last with time to spare.
Still, Pakistan will hope for something similar to what happened on day three. Their bowlers, especially Razaullah, have shown they can trouble England when given the right conditions. A few early wickets under lights, or on a pitch that’s started to wear, could at least make England work for the win.
Series Snapshot
| Test | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Leeds | England won by an innings and 103 runs |
| 2nd Test | Lord’s | England won by 194 runs |
| 3rd Test | Edgbaston | Pakistan set England 130 to win, chase ongoing |
Final Take
This Pakistan vs England Test series has mostly gone the way everyone expected, English dominance from the first ball. But Edgbaston gave it a twist. A young debutant refused to let the match end quietly, and turned a routine mop-up job into a real day four chase. Whether Pakistan can finish the job with the ball or England wraps up a clean sweep, this final Test has been the one worth watching.
