Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Razaullah lights up for Pakistan to slow down England’s victory march in third Test

September 11, 2026 · The Guardian

Pakistan managed to set England a fourth-innings target of 130 runs in the third Test, largely thanks to a late counterattack from Razaullah. Arriving at the crease in the number nine position, the lower-order batsman struck a crucial 81 runs to delay the touring side's push for victory. His resistance built upon earlier contributions from Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Azan Awais, all of whom registered half-centuries to bolster the team's total. The contest has drawn fresh scrutiny toward England's tactics, specifically their decision to field four specialist seamers rather than a premier spin option following the mid-summer departure of Ben Stokes from the sport. Although this setup has earned comparisons to the celebrated bowling unit from the 2005 Ashes, questions remain about how effectively these pacers can adapt when surface conditions offer little assistance to the movement of the ball.