Photo via Hindustan Times

Former England cricketers furious after Razaullah’s assault on their bowlers: ‘What I saw was no plan’

On day three of the series finale at Edgbaston, Pakistan rallied from an overnight score of 117 for two to reach 449, establishing a 130-run fourth-innings target for England. Debutant lower-order batsman Razaullah caused chaos from the number nine position, matching an eighteen-year-old benchmark by launching nine sixes during a 63-ball onslaught where merely six deliveries targeted the stumps.

Alongside Mohammad Abbas, who compiled 42, the 21-year-old anchored a punishing 121-run partnership for the ninth wicket as Joe Root's bowling unit struggled for discipline and heavily relied on ineffective short-pitched tactics on a pristine pitch. The unconventional tactics even saw occasional off-break bowler Dan Lawrence handed the second new cherry.

The bowling display drew heavy criticism from prominent former national team figures. Ex-skipper Alastair Cook expressed dismay on BBC Test Match Special regarding the lack of tactical direction and called for the coaching personnel to demonstrate stronger guidance when the contest unraveled.