Pakistan fight back with Razaullah century as England set 130-run target in third Test

Third Rothesay Test, Edgbaston (day three of five)

Pakistan 133 (Tongue 4-42) & 449 (Masood 95, Razaullah 81, Babar 76, Awais 59)

England 453 (Brook 75, Smith 69, Lawrence 65, Gay 60, Robinson 50; Razaullah 4-148)

England need 130 runs to win

Scorecard

England face a chase of 130 to win the third Test after Pakistan debutant Razaullah produced some thrilling resistance on day three at Edgbaston.

Pakistan had battled to 318-8, still two runs behind, with potentially more than two hours of play remaining when Razaullah, the tourists' number nine, launched a sensational assault.

The 21-year-old's audacious 81 frazzled England and propelled Pakistan to 449.

Razaullah clubbed a 43-ball half-century. His nine sixes tied Ben Stokes' record for the number of maximums in a Test innings in England.

He shared an eighth-wicket stand of 121 with Muhammad Abbas, who whacked two sixes of his own in his 42. Finally, Razaullah was stumped off Lawrence to end the day and signal the beginning of England's chase on Saturday.

Pakistan deserved to drag the match into a weekend, restoring a modicum of pride to what has been a shambolic tour.

England might have won inside two days had it not been for bad weather on Thursday. From 55-2 overnight, 268 behind, Pakistan did not capitulate on Friday.

Shan Masood and Azan Awais extended their third-wicket stand to 125 until Awais tickled the off-spin of Dan Lawrence down the leg side for 59.

Masood added another 89 with captain Babar Azam. The left-hander was denied a century on 95 when Lawrence took a spectacular one-handed catch at gully off Gus Atkinson.

Babar was classy for his 76, yet was discomforted when England went to a short-ball plan either side of tea. His dismissal to a Josh Tongue bouncer seemed to confirm a three-day finish, but Razaullah had other ideas.

On what could have been the final day of a disappointing series, a Test match broke out. The contest between bat and ball was even and compelling, and the Hollies Stand filled Edgbaston with an atmosphere missing from the first two days.

In their last act of a shambolic tour, Pakistan showed what they are made of. Until Razaullah flayed them, England did not bowl badly - the hosts were simply met with patience, bravery and sound judgement from the touring top order.

Despite being bowled out for 133 on day one and reduced to 0-2 in their second innings, Pakistan are alive. England should win, though the tourists will have a target to defend. The run chase could be ticklish.

Razaullah was one of the seven players Pakistan drafted into the squad for this Test. He first impressed with his pace bowling in England's first innings, then provided grandstand entertainment late on Friday evening.

After a first full day in the field this series, England faded. As Razaullah and Abbas swung and swiped, England's bowlers simply could not hit the stumps. Joe Root's decision to employ Lawrence with the second new-ball was curious.

England were left frustrated and devoid of ideas. For everyone else, it was tremendous fun. Saturday might yet be something special.