Joe Root’s impeccable century on the day he became England’s all-time leading runscorer led the charge back into the first Test against Pakistan in Multan.
Beginning day three on 32, Root needed another 39 to break Sir Alastair Cook’s record. The 33-year-old, in his 147th Test, created a moment of British sporting history, then went on and on to set up the prospect of a remarkable victory.
In punishing heat, this was one of the most gruelling of Root’s 35 Test hundreds. He batted throughout for his 176 not out, taking England to 492-3, only 64 behind.
After Zak Crawley was out for 78 and Ben Duckett recovered from his dislocated thumb to make 84, Harry Brook arrived for his own unbeaten 141, surviving the ball hitting the stumps but not dislodging the bails when he had 75.
Root and Brook have so far shared 243 for the fourth wicket, an all-wicket record for England in Pakistan. Resuming on 96-1, England overall added 396 for the loss of just two wickets on one of their great days in an overseas Test.
Never before have England conceded as many as Pakistan’s 556 and gone on to take a first-innings lead.
Now they are primed to do just that and, in doing so, will give themselves the chance of another stunning win in this country.
