Multan: England raced towards an astonishing win after a record-breaking day of cricket in the opening Test against Pakistan at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Brook, Root and the Three Lions broke a plethora of records before English pacers wreaked havoc on Pakistani batters to charge towards what looks like an improbable yet certain victory in the first Test.
After Root registered his career-best score of 262, Brook became the first England batter in 34 years to hit a Test triple-century as England took control of the match after an astonishing fourth day in Multan.
Brook’s 317 off 322 is the sixth score above 300 by an Englishman and his partnership of 454 with Root was the highest for England and fourth-highest for any wicket in the history of the game.
Meanwhile, England’s total of 823-7 declared is the highest in the 21st century, the fourth-highest ever and England’s largest since 1938.
England, extraordinarily took a lead of 267, despite conceding 556.
England pacers wreak havoc
A flat pitch that witnessed an avalanche of runs turned into a pacer’s paradise in Pakistan’s second innings. Chris Woakes rattled the off stump of Abdullah Shafique with a beauty to inflict a huge blow on the very first ball.
England pacers produced a sensational bowling display with the new ball and demolished the Pakistani top-order as Shan Masood (11), Babar Azam (5), Saim Ayub (24) and Mohammad Rizwan (10) all walked back to the pavillion inside 20 overs.
Saud Shakeel was the final wicket to fall on a miserable day for the hosts, who ended the day reeling at 152/6, still 115 away from making England bat again.
If Pakistan lose their remaining four wickets under 115, it will be the first time a team will lose by an innings after posting so many runs in the first innings of a Test.
England are primed to add another landmark victory to a long list of memorable wins after claiming a historic 3-0 victory in Pakistan two years ago.
PAK vs ENG 1st Test: England are primed to add another landmark victory to a long list of memorable wins after claiming a historic 3-0 victory in Pakistan two years ago. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
