From Mardan academy to Pakistan’s new sensation: Meet Razaullah

Razaullah, who made his Test debut against England, has already given Pakistan fans plenty to remember.

The 21-year-old fast bowler dismissed England batter Joe Root with his fourth delivery before producing an extraordinary counter-attacking 81 at Edgbaston. His innings included nine sixes and helped Pakistan avoid what had looked like an inevitable innings defeat.

With Mohammad Abbas at the other end, Razaullah added 121 runs for the ninth wicket. Some of his towering sixes even landed in a hotel construction site next to the ground.

Razaullah grew up in Wari, a remote village in Upper Dir, and later moved to Mardan with his two elder brothers. His brother Samiullah, who worked as a truck loader, wanted him to pursue a different future and encouraged him to attend a cricket academy.

At the Mardan academy, Razaullah quickly became known for his pace and his love for aggressive batting. His biggest inspiration was former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

He was so obsessed with Akhtar that he wanted to wear the former speedster’s famous No. 14 shirt. When he eventually received one during the National T20 Cup, it was two sizes too big. His teammates began calling him “Shobby”.

Mardan and Abbottabad coach Ahmed Said remembers Razaullah arriving for Under-19 trials in 2023 wearing oversized spikes. His first delivery was so quick that Said decided not to let him bowl another ball, fearing he could injure an inexperienced batter.

Razaullah's progress accelerated after former Pakistan coach Abdul Rehman spotted him playing in a T20 tournament in Quetta and brought him into the Rawalpindiz squad in the Pakistan Super League. His pace soon attracted attention, while national selector Aaqib Javed helped him develop further at the High Performance Centre in Lahore.

His call-up to the Pakistan Test side came unexpectedly. After Pakistan lost the opening two Tests against England, seven players were withdrawn and seven replacements were brought into the squad. Razaullah was among those given an opportunity.

He needed only four balls to make his presence felt. His batting then turned him from an exciting fast-bowling prospect into the headline-maker of the day.