Pakistan’s latest cricket sensation Razaullah Mashwani was virtually unknown outside domestic cricket when he arrived in England on Sept 6.
A few days later, the 21-year-old fast bowler had dismissed England captain Joe Root with his fourth ball in Test cricket and smashed nine sixes in an extraordinary innings of 81 at Edgbaston.
It was the kind of fearless debut Pakistan cricket has periodically produced from nowhere.
Razaullah walked in at No. 9 with Pakistan staring at an innings defeat. Instead of surrendering, he launched an astonishing counterattack, hitting 81 from 63 balls and adding 121 for the ninth wicket with veteran Mohammad Abbas, who made 42. Some of Razaullah’s sixes reportedly landed in the under-construction hotel adjoining the stadium.
His nine sixes equalled the record for most sixes by a player on Test debut, while his half-century came from just 43 deliveries.
Before his batting fireworks, Razaullah had already shown why Pakistan picked him primarily as a fast bowler, taking four wickets in England’s first innings.
Yet, the numbers tell only part of an extraordinary story.
Razaullah was born in Wari, a remote village in Upper Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, before moving with his family to Mardan.
Money was scarce. His elder brother Samiullah worked as a truck loader but was determined that Razaullah should have a different future, ensuring that his younger brother could attend a cricket academy.
At the academy, Razaullah, who sells vegetables with his father, became obsessed with bowling fast. His hero was Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, whose No. 14 shirt he wanted to wear.
Coach Ahmed Said remembers Razaullah turning up for Under-19 trials in 2023 wearing spikes that were too big for him. His first delivery was so quick that it left the batter staggering.
“I asked him not to bowl another delivery for fear of causing injury to any young and inexperienced batter,” Said recalled.
Razaullah’s rise thereafter was rapid.
Former Pakistan coach Abdul Rehman spotted him at a Twenty20 tournament in Quetta and recruited him for the Rawalpindiz Pakistan Super League side. Pakistan selector Aaqib Javed subsequently helped develop him at the High Performance Center in Lahore.
His Test opportunity arrived almost accidentally.
After Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests against England, seven players were withdrawn and several new faces drafted in. Razaullah was among the uncapped replacements.
Reports said Razaullah’s phone was switched off when officials tried to contact him. His coach reportedly had to travel by motorcycle into the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to find him and deliver the news. Once located, Razaullah was told to get to Lahore as quickly as possible, and then fly to England.
He had barely arrived in England before announcing himself spectacularly.
Root, one of Test cricket’s finest batsmen, was dismissed with Razaullah’s fourth delivery. Then came the innings that transformed the young bowler into an overnight celebrity.
“This is the beauty of Pakistan’s raw talent,” former Pakistan women’s captain Urooj Mumtaz said. “He batted fearlessly and entertained all those who were watching. It was sensational.”
Razaullah’s own explanation was considerably simpler. “I just had to bat, you are the ones who get to enjoy it,” he told Sky.
The performance also delighted his childhood hero. “Look at his intent and fearless batting,” Akhtar said, arguing that such aggression had been missing from Pakistan earlier in the series.
But Akhtar also sounded an important note of caution, saying Pakistan’s coaches now have a responsibility to manage the youngster properly so that he can continue developing.
That may ultimately be the bigger challenge.
Pakistan has never lacked raw fast-bowling talent. Converting spectacular arrivals into long international careers has proved considerably harder.
For now, though, Razaullah can enjoy an extraordinary transformation. He has suddenly become one of the most talked-about young cricketers in the game.
