Joe Root has overhauled Sir Alastair Cook as England’s record run scorer in Test cricket, passing his former captain’s mark of 12,472 on day three of the series opener against Pakistan.
Root arrived in the country needing 71 to take top spot and got there in his first innings, seizing a crown he has long been destined for in typically assured fashion on the third morning in Multan.
The 33-year-old assumed the mantle with a check drive for four off Aamer Jamal, moving fifth on the all-time list in his 147th Test appearance – 14 fewer than Cook managed before his retirement in 2018.
It was a typically assured innings from the Yorkshireman and sorely needed after he came to the crease with England on 4-1 in reply to Pakistan’s bumper score of 556 but a lifeless pitch allowed the visitors to soar past their hosts’ total as Root passed 250 run and fellow Yorkshireman Harry Brook joined him in clearing 200 as the game appeared destined for a draw..
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Pakistan vs England
54.5
OUT! Stumped. Jack Leach to Naseem Shah. Stock length ball, outside off stump down the track Slog, missed, by Smith.
Pakistan vs England
54.4
SIX! Jack Leach to Naseem Shah. Stock length ball, middle stump down the track Slog, well timed in the air under control over long off for 6 runs.
Pakistan vs England
54.3
Jack Leach to Naseem Shah. Stock length ball, off stump on the front foot defending, to silly mid off for no runs, fielded by Pope.
Pakistan vs England
54.2
OUT! Caught & Bowled. Jack Leach to Shaheen Afridi. Stock length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled back to bowler, caught by Leach.
Pakistan vs England
54.1
Jack Leach to Shaheen Afridi. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to mid off for no runs, fielded by Duckett.
Pakistan vs England
53.6
Brydon Carse to Aamir Jamal. Short, down leg side on the back foot Fended, hit body to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Leach.
Pakistan vs England
53.5
Brydon Carse to Aamir Jamal. Back of a length, down leg side on the back foot driving, well timed to deep point for 2 runs, fielded by Brook.
Pakistan vs England
53.4
Brydon Carse to Shaheen Afridi. Length ball, off stump on the back foot working, hit pad to square leg for 1 run, shy attempt by Pope, fielded by Bashir.
