3rd Test: Pakistan set England 130 after dramatic second-innings recovery

Birmingham (Web Desk): Pakistan pulled off a remarkable fightback at Edgbaston on Friday, turning what looked like an almost certain innings defeat into a contest after setting England 130 runs to win the third and final Test.

The visitors were dismissed for 449 in their second innings after beginning the day on 52-2. Their situation had appeared extremely bleak following their first-innings collapse for 133, which had put England in a strong position to complete a series whitewash. However, a stunning display from Pakistan’s lower order, led by Test debutant Razzaullah and Mohammad Abbas, dramatically changed the course of the match.

England had earlier made 453 in their first innings, meaning Pakistan needed 320 runs simply to force the hosts to bat again. The visitors managed to go past that figure with important knocks from Shan Masood, Babar Azam and Awais before their lower-order batters delivered an unexpected surge.

Awais and Shan began the third day together and showed considerable determination, putting on 125 runs for the third wicket. Both batters moved beyond the 50-run mark, but their partnership was eventually broken when Dan Lawrence dismissed Awais for 59.

Shan remained at the crease and continued to guide Pakistan's recovery, falling just five runs short of a century. The Pakistan captain scored 95 from 148 balls, striking 12 boundaries, before Gus Atkinson brought his innings to an end.

Babar Azam then joined forces with Saud Shakeel, with the two adding 64 runs for the fifth wicket.

Babar finally ended his wait for a Test century by registering his 34th hundred in the format. He made 76 from 103 deliveries, including 11 fours and a six, before Josh Tongue had him caught behind.

Saud's innings ended at 35 when Atkinson claimed his wicket, while Ghazi Ghauri and Mohammad Imran failed to make significant contributions. Pakistan were subsequently reduced to 318-8 and appeared to be heading towards an innings defeat. That was when Razzaullah and Abbas produced one of the most unexpected passages of the innings. With England seemingly in complete control, the two lower-order batters launched an aggressive counterattack.

Razzaullah was particularly destructive, repeatedly finding the boundary and putting England's bowlers under pressure. The debutant smashed nine fours and four sixes on his way to an extraordinary 81 from just 63 balls, injecting fresh life into Pakistan's innings.

At the other end, Abbas offered valuable support and produced the best score of his career, making 42 off 67 deliveries. Their partnership was worth 121 runs for the ninth wicket, lifting Pakistan from 318-8 to 439-9 and, crucially, taking the visitors beyond England's first-innings total.

Abbas was eventually dismissed with Pakistan on 439, but Razzaullah continued to attack until the very end. He became the final Pakistan batter to fall when Dan Lawrence stumped him, bringing the innings to a close at 449 after 96.4 overs.

Pakistan's total gave them a 129-run advantage and left England needing 130 runs for victory and a clean sweep in the three-match series.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will have a chance to produce another major turnaround by defending the relatively small target and denying England victory in the final Test.