England declared their first innings at 823/7 in the ongoing first Test match against Pakistan in Multan, marking the fourth-highest total in Test cricket history. Harry Brook led the charge for England, scoring a remarkable 317 runs, supported by Joe Root, who played a stellar knock of 262. Their brilliant performances helped England set new milestones in the match, creating a flurry of records.
Pakistan had earlier posted a first-innings total of 556, but their bowling faltered as Root and Brook put England in a commanding position. By the fourth day of the Test, England had gained a 267-run lead over Pakistan, with Brook achieving his maiden triple century. He became only the sixth English player to score over 300 runs in a single innings.
Root and Brook’s Record Partnership for England
England’s lead over Pakistan is largely due to the extraordinary partnership between Brook and Root. After losing three wickets for 249 runs, the duo stood firm, solidifying England’s position. They built a 454-run stand for the fourth wicket, marking the fourth-highest partnership for any wicket in Test cricket and the largest ever for England.
Top Partnerships in Test Cricket
| Partners | Runs | Wicket | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sangakkara-Jayawardene | 624 | Third | Sri Lanka | South Africa | 2006 |
| Mahanama-Jayasuriya | 576 | Second | Sri Lanka | India | 1997 |
| Jones-Crowe | 467 | Third | New Zealand | Sri Lanka | 1991 |
| Root-Brook | 454 | Fourth | England | Pakistan | 2024 |
Brook Becomes First English Player in 34 Years to Score a Triple Century
Harry Brook achieved a special milestone by becoming the first English player in 34 years to score a triple century in this format. Brook’s 317 also made him the highest scorer for England against Pakistan, surpassing Denis Compton’s 278 runs at Trent Bridge in 1954. Brook’s triple century is the first for England since former batsman Graham Gooch’s 333 against India in 1990.