Pakistan produced a remarkable fightback on Day 3 of the third Test at Edgbaston, turning what looked like a straightforward innings defeat into a potentially tricky chase for England.After being bowled out for just 133 in their first innings and conceding a 320-run lead, Pakistan were expected to fold quickly in their second innings. Instead, they battled for nearly 97 overs and were eventually dismissed for 449, leaving England a target of 130 runs to win the Test and complete a 3-0 series clean sweep.The result means England will return on Day 4 needing only 130 runs, but Pakistan’s extraordinary lower-order resistance ensured the hosts could not finish the match on the third evening.
Masood, Babar and Azan lead Pakistan’s fightback
Pakistan’s recovery was built around contributions from their top and middle order.Captain Shan Masood narrowly missed out on a century, scoring a determined 95 to anchor the innings. Azan Awais added 59, while Babar Azam played an assured knock of 76 as Pakistan steadily erased England’s huge first-innings advantage.Just when Pakistan appeared to have done enough to force England to bat again, wickets began to tumble and England sensed another opportunity to wrap up the Test. But the lower order had other ideas.
Razaullah and Abbas produce stunning 121-run stand
Debutant Razaullah delivered the biggest surprise of the day with a sensational counter-attacking 81 from 73 balls.Batting at No. 9, Razaullah took the attack to England’s bowlers and struck nine sixes during his entertaining innings. He found an unlikely but hugely valuable partner in Mohammad Abbas, who held his end together as the pair added 121 runs for the ninth wicket.The partnership stunned England and frustrated their attempts to complete a series sweep on the third day.England eventually broke the stand when Josh Tongue dismissed Abbas, ending one of the most unexpected partnerships of the Test. Razaullah’s innings also came to an end shortly afterwards as England’s bowlers finally cleaned up the tail.Gus Atkinson played a key role in the late breakthroughs, while Jofra Archer and Tongue had earlier kept Pakistan’s batters under pressure.Pakistan’s 449 meant England were left with 130 to win. While the target remains modest, the visitors’ extraordinary fightback has at least forced England to bat again after their first-innings dominance.England now have a clear opportunity to complete a 3-0 series victory on Day 4. Pakistan, meanwhile, will hope their lower-order heroics have given them enough momentum to create one final twist in a Test that appeared to be heading towards an early finish.