Pakistan fast bowler Razaullah has rejected reports that he did not have a passport when he was picked for the third Test against England.
Speaking at the post match press conference, Razaullah addressed a journalist’s question directly. “First of all, this is wrong. My passport was made a year before that. There is nothing like that,” he said.
The claims had spread widely on social media after his selection for the Edgbaston Test.
Reports suggested that Razaullah did not even hold a passport when Pakistan named him in the squad. According to the reports, the young pacer was in his village when selectors tried to reach him, but his phone was switched off. A coach was then reportedly sent to find him and inform him of his selection. An urgent passport was arranged, his visa was stamped, and he was put on a flight to join the squad in England.
Razaullah has now dismissed this version of events. He confirmed that he already held a valid passport a year before his call-up, stressing that the story circulating online does not reflect what actually happened.
The 21-year-old made his Test debut in dramatic fashion. He took four wickets in England’s first innings, finishing with figures of 4 for 148 from 23 overs. His first wicket came in his very first over, when he trapped England captain Joe Root lbw for eight. He went on to dismiss Emilio Gay, who had scored 60, before adding the wickets of Jamie Smith and Ollie Robinson on the second day.
His batting turned out to be just as eye catching. Coming in at Number 9 with Pakistan struggling, he put on 121 runs for the ninth wicket with Mohammad Abbas. Razaullah smashed 81 off 63 balls, hitting nine sixes and four fours. He struck three sixes in a single over off Gus Atkinson and brought up his fifty off 43 balls with a six off Jofra Archer. He survived an lbw review off Dan Lawrence before being stumped by Jordan Cox off the very next ball.
His innings helped Pakistan post 449 all out, giving them a 129-run lead after being bowled out for 133 in their first innings.
