Multan: England posted a gigantic first-innings total of 823 for 7 declared in their first innings of the opening Test against Pakistan in Multan on Thursday. The Three Lions declared the innings on 823/7, which is the highest team total of the 21st century and the fourth-highest overall in Tests. Harry Brook smashed a sensational 317, his first triple century, and Joe Root, smashed a career-best 262 to guide England to a monumental total in Multan.
Root and Brook stitched a record partnership of 454 – the highest for England in Tests. While Root was dismissed by Agha Salman for 262 in the second session, Brook, raced to his maiden triple century in thrilling fashion.
Brook was eventually dismissed for 317 (322) by Saim Ayub as The Three Lions declared their first innings with a lead of 267 runs.
England’s mammoth 823 for 7 stands as the highest total of the 21st century and the highest score against Pakistan, surpassing the previous record of 790/3 set by the West Indies in 1958.
Fourth-highest total in Tests
952/6d – SL vs IND, Colombo, 1997
903/7d – ENG vs AUS, The Oval, 1938
849 – ENG vs WI, Kingston, 1930
823/7d – ENG vs PAK, Multan, 2024*
790/3d – WI vs PAK, Kingston, 1958
Earlier, Brook became the sixth English batter to triple century in Tests and also the fifth to breach the 300 mark against Pakistan in Test cricket.
Brook’s triple ton was the first in Tests since David Warner’s 335 in 2019 against the same opposition at the Adelaide Oval.
Brook notched up his triple century in just 310 balls, surpassing Australian icon Matthew Hayden. The young English batter is only behind Indian legend Virender Sehwag in the fastest triple hundreds list by balls faced.
A mammoth innings 👏
Brooky is welcomed back after his sensational triple hundred 🏏
🇵🇰 #PAKvENG 🏴 | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/yL713TTiqP
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 10, 2024
Fastest triple hundreds (by balls faced)
278 – Virender Sehwag vs SA, Chennai, 2009
310 – Harry Brook vs PAK, Multan, 2024
362 – Matthew Hayden vs ZIM, Perth, 2003
364 – Virender Sehwag vs PAK, Multan, 2004
PAK vs ENG: England’s mammoth 823 for 7 stands as the highest total of the 21st century and the highest score against Pakistan, surpassing the previous record of 790/3 set by the West Indies in 1958. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today