At times when Razaullah – who has one first-class century – was teeing off, England captain Joe Root wore the expression of a chess player waiting for someone to tell him it was his move.<\/p>\n
Root stationed eight fielders on the boundary at one point – but it did not deter Razaullah as he brashly swaggered at the crease with the arrogance of youth.<\/p>\n
This was a special innings.<\/p>\n
Razaullah’s nine sixes is the joint-most ever in a Test innings in England. The other is Ben Stokes’ famous 155 with nine against Australia in the Ashes Test in 2023.<\/p>\n
He hit as many sixes as Sir Geoffrey Boycott did in his 108-Test career.<\/p>\n
Perhaps being so far behind, and expected to capitulate, liberated Pakistan. There was a freedom to their batting hitherto unseen in this series so far.<\/p>\n
Shan Masood played with admirable application with a stoic 95 while captain Babar Azam, a weight lifted off his shoulders, made 76.<\/p>\n
Yet it was the swashbuckling Razaullah who really captured the imagination. <\/p>\n
“England are going to win this Test match, I’m sure,” said former England captain Michael Vaughan.<\/p>\n
“But Razaullah has given Pakistan cricket some hope. They’ve unearthed a gem and he will be a superstar for many years.”<\/p>\n
Even Razaullah’s dismissal was pure theatre lapped up by the crowd. Reprieved lbw to Dan Lawrence he danced down the pitch and was stumped next ball.<\/p>\n
The young Pakastani left the field to the warmest ovation.<\/p>\n
In another world he might have been playing for Cleethorpes in the Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League, having signed for the 2026 season only to be called up to a national training camp in May.<\/p>\n