In the first Test against Pakistan, England declared their first innings at 823-7, establishing a lead of 267 runs before tea on the fourth day. Harry Brook scored an impressive 317, while Joe Root hit 262, both achieving their highest Test scores on the flat wicket at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
This marks the second time in history that a team has scored more than 700 runs in a Test match against Pakistan, with the West Indies previously achieving a score of 790-3 against Pakistan in 1958.
Earlier in the day, both Root and Brook led England to surpass Pakistan’s 556-run total in the first innings. Root became the first English batter to make 20,000 international runs.
He was given a second chance when Babar Azam dropped a simple catch at mid-wicket when he was on 186. He went on to score his sixth double-century and celebrated by kissing the badge on his helmet. With this double century, Root surpassed Alastair Cook and is now only behind Wally Hammond in England’s list with seven double centuries.
Following the innings declaration, the Pakistan side, led by Shan Masood, had a difficult start to their second innings.
Opener Abdullah Shafique lost his wicket to Chris Woakes on the very first ball. The national side now trails by 244 runs with the scoreboard at 23-1, with captain Masood (10) and opener Saim Ayub (13) on the crease.
Playing XI
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad
