MULTAN – England resumed their innings at 492-3 on the fourth day of the first Test while Joe Root and Harry Brook both achieved double centuries and led their side to surpass Pakistan’s first-innings total of 556.
By lunch, the score had reached 658-3.
This innings marked the highest Test scores for both players, as they established a formidable fourth-wicket partnership of 409 runs off 488 balls at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
With a first-innings lead of 102 runs, the English batsmen aimed to increase their score in the second session, with Root not out on 259 and Brook unbeaten on 218.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani side faced a setback as leg-spinner Abrar Ahmad was unable to play due to illness. He had previously bowled 35 wicketless overs for 174 runs.
Besides it, the team missed a crucial opportunity to dismiss Root when Babar Azam dropped a straightforward catch while he attempted a pull shot off Naseem Shah’s bowling.
Starting his innings at 32, Root surpassed the career runs of his former captain Alastair Cook, who scored 12,472 runs, showcasing his batting talent.
Brook, on the other hand, reached his first century in the 84th over as he marked his sixth Test hundred and fourth against Pakistan. Brook achieved the milestone with eight fours and one six in just 118 balls.
Earlier, England lost Zak Crawley for 78 in the first hour, caught by Aamer Jamal off Shaheen Afridi. He provided a solid 109-run partnership for the second wicket but the team looked quite determined in their approach.
