Pakistan set a competitive target for England at the close of the third day of the ongoing third Test at Edgbaston on Friday. The Green Shirts, bowled out for just 133 in the first innings, needed 320 runs to avoid an innings defeat. However, they fought back impressively, piling up 449 all out in their second innings across 96.4 overs.

The visitors added 152 runs in the final session alone. This surge came courtesy of a remarkable Razaullah-Abbas partnership for the ninth wicket. Saud Shakeel and Ghazi Ghori had resumed the innings from 297/5 but could only add nine more runs before Ghori fell to a short ball from Jofra Archer.

Pakistan then lost two more wickets in quick succession as Gus Atkinson removed both Ghazi and Mohammad Imran cheaply. With the score at 318/8, Abbas joined Razaullah in the middle, and the pair began tormenting England’s bowling attack. Together, they added 121 runs at a rapid pace, pushing Pakistan’s lead well past 100.

Josh Tongue eventually broke the stand by dismissing Abbas, who departed for a career-best 42 off 67 deliveries. Razaullah, meanwhile, shared a further 10 runs with No.11 batter Mohammad Ali before he was stumped off Dan Lawrence. He walked back to a standing ovation after scoring 81 off 63 balls.

Atkinson finished as England’s most successful bowler, claiming three wickets for 109 runs. Additionally, Ollie Robinson, Tongue and Lawrence picked up two wickets apiece, while Archer chipped in with one.

Earlier in the day, Masood and Babar had rebuilt Pakistan’s innings after early setbacks. Masood fell agonisingly short of a century, scoring 95, while Babar made 76 before losing his wicket to Tongue. Their partnerships steadily shifted momentum in Pakistan’s favour throughout the middle session.

Therefore, despite a difficult start, Pakistan’s lower order ultimately proved decisive. The Razaullah-Abbas partnership transformed what looked like a one-sided contest into a genuinely competitive finish heading into the fourth day.