Pakistan's tailenders, led by debutant Razaullah, displayed resilience to frustrate England's bowlers and extend the third Test into its fourth morning. Despite the strong fightback, Pakistan's total of 449 still leaves them trailing by 130 runs, making a 3-0 series whitewash likely.
Razaullah's aggressive 81 off 63 balls, including ten sixes, combined with Mohammad Abbas's career-best 42, formed a 121-run stand for the ninth wicket. This partnership came after Pakistan had been reduced to 318 for eight, narrowly avoiding an innings defeat. The duo's efforts provided a welcome change for Pakistan's supporters, who had witnessed five consecutive innings where their team had surrendered for under 200.
The performance offered a reality check for England's bowlers ahead of their winter tour of South Africa. While Ollie Robinson continued his impressive series with an average below eight, other seamers like Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Josh Tongue conceded runs at a higher rate. Between them, they took six wickets for 335 runs, prompting questions about their effectiveness in less helpful conditions.
Razaullah's debut was notable not only for his batting but also for his bowling, where he took the wicket of Joe Root in his first over and finished with Pakistan's best figures. His aggressive counter-attacking, particularly against the faster bowlers, highlighted England's lack of a frontline spinner, a potential vulnerability for opponents to exploit.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan's middle order had also shown promise. Shan Masood was caught brilliantly by Dan Lawrence for 95, narrowly missing out on a century. Babar Azam scored 76 before being dismissed by Tongue, and Saud Shakeel was removed by Archer. England's bowlers initially seemed set to secure a swift victory after Atkinson took two quick wickets.
However, Razaullah's determined batting shifted the momentum. He reached his half-century in 43 balls and continued to attack, with Abbas also contributing significantly. The partnership brought up Pakistan's 100-run lead before Razaullah was stumped by Jordan Cox for 81. His departure, met with a standing ovation, signaled the end of the most exciting passage of play in the series.
