ISLAMABAD: From carrying dreams of becoming a fast bowler in Mardan to dismissing England great Joe Root on his Test debut and smashing nine sixes at Edgbaston, Pakistan’s 21-year-old Razaullah has turned an unexpected international opportunity into a sensational coming-of-age moment.
Razaullah was soaking in every moment of his knock against England at Edgbaston 💥
Read more 👉 https://t.co/9fe00iPV9z pic.twitter.com/Y0ABmRyNPY
— ICC (@ICC) September 12, 2026
Razaullah arrived in Mardan with his two elder brothers determined to make a career in cricket. His brother Samiullah, who worked as a truck loader, wanted a different future for his younger sibling and ensured the tall fast bowler attended a local cricket academy rather than follow him into manual labour.
That decision has now paid off spectacularly.
Razaullah dismissed Root with his fourth delivery in Test cricket before producing a breathtaking counter-attacking innings of 81 against England. His nine sixes helped Pakistan recover from the brink of an innings defeat as he shared a remarkable 121-run ninth-wicket partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who contributed 42.
Razaullah is a promising bright talent from Pakistan
Boy did he smashed some tape ball style sixes vs England at Edgbaston
Nobody was spared pic.twitter.com/IKfFmt4bzi
— justacricketlover (@imkmalhotra) September 12, 2026
Some of Razaullah’s towering sixes landed in the under-construction hotel next to Edgbaston, creating a sensation in England’s Midlands and back home in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“This is the beauty of Pakistan’s raw talent,” former Pakistan women’s captain and commentator Urooj Mumtaz said. “He batted fearlessly and entertained all those who were watching. It was sensational.”
Razaullah, however, remained characteristically relaxed about his approach.
“I just had to bat, you are the ones who get to enjoy it,” he said after the day’s play.
Nasser Hussain:
“Razaullah has smashed England everywhere.”During his remarkable 81-run innings against England at Edgbaston, Pakistan debutant Razaullah smashed his nine sixes primarily off Gus Atkinson and Jofra Archer.
video courtesy: Sky Sports pic.twitter.com/J2EXXKWA9c
— Shahid Abbasi (@ShahidabbasiPk) September 11, 2026
His arrival in the Pakistan side was almost as unexpected as his explosive debut. Following humiliating defeats in the first two Tests, Pakistan made seven changes for the third Test, bringing in as many players, including the uncapped Razaullah.
The youngster had come a long way from his remote village of Wari in the mountainous Upper Dir district, an area near Lower Dir that also produced Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah.
At a Mardan academy, Razaullah quickly gained attention for his obsession with bowling as fast as former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar and his ability to clear the boundary with powerful hitting.
On Test debut, 21-year-old Razaullah dismissed Joe Root with his fourth ball, then smashed nine sixes in an 81-run innings at Edgbaston, adding 121 runs for the ninth wicket with Mohammad Abbas to drag Pakistan back from the brink of an innings defeat against England. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/6GjgQtUQ0Q
— Pakistan TV Digital (@PakistanTVcom) September 12, 2026
Mardan and Abbottabad coach Ahmed Said recalled seeing him at Under-19 trials in 2023 wearing oversized spikes. His first delivery was so quick that the batter struggled to cope.
Razaullah also idolised Akhtar so much that he insisted on wearing the former fast bowler’s famous number 14 shirt. He eventually received one during the National T20 Cup, albeit two sizes too large, earning him the nickname “Shobby”.
Read Also: Razaullah’s Record-Breaking Debut Helps Pakistan Set England 130-Run Target
Former Pakistan coach Abdul Rehman later spotted him during a T20 tournament in Quetta and brought him into the Rawalpindi setup in the Pakistan Super League, where his pace impressed.
Razaullah Khan belong to a very backward mountainous area of KP in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/rs25FaROph
— WeLfairStAtE (@khanRiyadh) September 12, 2026
Pakistan selector Aaqib Javed subsequently helped accelerate his development at the High-Performance Centre in Lahore, paving the way for his England opportunity.
Even Akhtar has been impressed by the youngster’s fearless approach.
“Look at his intent and fearless batting,” Akhtar said on television, praising the approach that Pakistan had lacked earlier in the series.
Razaullah’s breakthrough is also being viewed as a product of Pakistan’s cricket pathway. Akhtar said the responsibility now rests with the coaching staff to manage the youngster carefully and help him develop without losing the fearless qualities that have made his arrival so spectacular.
Read Also: Razaullah Equals Tim Southee’s Record for Most Sixes on Test Debut
From a cricket academy in Mardan to a Test debut at Edgbaston, Razaullah’s remarkable rise has offered Pakistan another glimpse of the raw talent waiting to emerge from its grassroots cricket system.
