Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat in the Test series against England, losing the first Test by an innings and 103 runs, the second Test by 194 runs and the third Test by eight wickets. The series saw significant upheaval in the Pakistan camp, with seven players sacked and two coaches sent home after the first two matches. Mike Hesson took charge as coach during the series.
Razaullah made his Test debut in the third Test at Edgbaston, which commenced on September 9, 2026. The 21-year-old from Mardan in Peshawar had appeared in only eight first-class matches before stepping into Test cricket, with his first-class career beginning in November 2025. He had scored a century in his early first-class appearances while opening the innings.
Wasim Akram, the legendary Pakistan fast bowler, expressed strong disapproval of the reception given to Razaullah upon his return to Pakistan. Akram criticised the mindset of fans and the nation for celebrating a player’s debut performance despite the team’s comprehensive loss to England. His comments highlighted concerns about accepting mediocrity in Pakistan cricket.
“Jara muh chhupake jao (hide your face at least). Go and celebrate at your home. Let me get this straight, you may bring the best coach in the world, the best chairman in the world, but the players are from here, they are the same. There are no new players. Let’s talk about mindset, very talented,” Akram said as quoted by NDTV Sports.
“So, we got hammered by England, not lost, hammered. So he arrives in Islamabad with 5,000 people to welcome him. His whole village came to receive him with bouquets and garlands. This tells you the mindset. We have accepted mediocrity,” he added.
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Razaullah impressed with the ball in his debut Test, removing Joe Root early in England’s innings with a delivery that came off his fourth ball in Test cricket. He finished with four wickets for 148 runs in England’s first innings, demonstrating raw pace and lateral movement that troubled the opposition batsmen.
With the bat, Razaullah produced a striking performance in Pakistan’s second innings. He struck nine sixes and four fours to score 81 off 63 balls, reaching a 43-ball fifty in the process. He shared a ninth-wicket partnership of 121 with Mohammad Abbas, providing Pakistan with valuable runs in a match they ultimately lost.
Razaullah’s performance earned him a hero’s welcome when he returned to Pakistan, with thousands gathered to greet him. His village community came out with bouquets and garlands to celebrate his Test debut, reflecting the excitement around his emergence as a young talent in Pakistan cricket.
