Joe Root not only surpassed Alastair Cook to become England’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket but also scored a remarkable unbeaten century, leading England to a score of 351 for three on day three of their first Test tour versus Pakistan on Wednesday.
Starting the day with 32 runs, Root needed an additional 39 runs to outdo Cook’s record of 12,472 runs, accomplishing this with an on-drive for four off Aamer Jamal, followed by enthusiastic cheers from the travelling English supporters. Despite experiencing cramps post-lunch, Root battled on and scored his 35th Test century with a reverse sweep. England were 205 runs behind when the session concluded with Root on a total of 119 and Harry Brook unlaid on 64, after Ben Duckett’s rapid score of 84.
Root achieved his half-century through an inside edge, and the 33-year-old brushed off a loud lbw appeal to surpass Cook’s record, entering the top-five all-time scorers, following Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar.
England, having restarted with 96 for one following Pakistan’s commanding total of 556 in their first innings on a level pitch at Multan Cricket Stadium, suffered an early loss when opener Zak Crawley was dismissed for 78 in the first hour as he flicked one from Shaheen Afridi to Aamer at midwicket, ending the second-wicket partnership of 109 runs abruptly. England, however, did not let this dampen their spirits.
Duckett, despite dislocating his left thumb on Tuesday and being unable to open, exhibited no signs of strain upon joining the crease and boldly hit spinner Abrar Ahmed for three boundaries in the 30th over. He required just 45 balls for his half-century, but Aamer trapped him lbw in the afternoon, leaving England at 249 for three. Nonetheless, with Brook ensuring the run rate never dipped below five per over, the heat was kept on for Pakistan.
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