In the third match of the now concluded test series against England at Edgbaston, 21-year-old Razaullah from Mardan took the ball and sent England’s captain and one of the world’s most accomplished batsmen, Joe Root, back to the pavilion. He finished with four wickets. Then he walked in at number nine and tore into the English bowlers. In his first test innings, he smashed nine towering sixes and equalled New Zealand’s Tim Southee’s record for the most sixes by a debutant. First came his bowling at near 145 km/h. Then came the blistering batting: 81 off 63 balls. Nine sixes and four fours put Pakistan ahead, though they were not enough to win the game. Well played, Razaullah. Your innings, especially those sixes, was like rain long due on barren land. Prayers for you and for Pakistan.
Prof Waqar Hussain
Lahore
