[WATCH] Razaullah Mashwani receives hero’s welcome after impressive England Test tour

Razaullah Mashwani arrived back in Islamabad to a warm reception from family members, friends and cricket supporters who had gathered at Islamabad International Airport to mark his return from the England Test series.

The 21-year-old had made his Test debut at Edgbaston during the third match of Pakistan's tour and produced performances that drew widespread attention.

“He has made the country proud with his batting,” Muhammad Iqbal Mashwani as quoted by Gulf News.

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Razaullah's record-breaking Edgbaston innings

Razaullah was born on April 5 2005 in Nihag, Upper Dir District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and grew up playing cricket in Mardan after his father Yar Muhammad Mashwani was posted there from 2007. He joined the Akmal Khan Cricket Academy in Mardan during the 2022-23 season and progressed through inter-district cricket before representing the Abbottabad Region under-19 team. He regards Waqar Younis as his cricketing idol.

His path to the England tour was far from straightforward. Pakistan made sweeping changes to their squad after losing the first Test at Lord's, dropping seven players and removing two members of the coaching staff. Mashwani was among those brought in at short notice, leaving him very little time to prepare. He also had to secure his passport in a hurry before travelling to England for the assignment.

At Edgbaston, Mashwani took his first Test wicket with only his fourth delivery in the format, dismissing England captain Joe Root. Batting at number 9, he then struck 81 runs off 63 balls, reaching his maiden Test half-century off just 43 deliveries and hitting 9 sixes in the innings. That six-hitting tally equalled Tim Southee's record for most sixes by a debutant in a Test innings and also matched Ben Stokes' record for most sixes in a Test innings in England. His 9 sixes also set a new mark for the most sixes by a number 9 batter in a single Test innings.

Pakistan's series result and leading performers

His bowling drew attention for its pace. Mashwani consistently hit the 90 mph mark at Edgbaston, and since 2010 only Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Dale Steyn, Anrich Nortje and Shannon Gabriel had bowled faster spells in England.

Pakistan lost the three-Test series 3-0. England's Ollie Robinson took 21 wickets to finish as the leading wicket-taker, while Mohammad Abbas claimed 13 wickets for Pakistan and was named Pakistan's player of the series. Harry Brook scored 215 runs for England and Saud Shakeel made 204 for Pakistan across the series.