Harry Brook’s epic triple century and Joe Root’s record-breaking double century powered England to their highest Test total since World War II on Thursday. The flat pitch at Multan quickly turned into a batting paradise as Brook and Root compiled a colossal 454-run partnership for the fifth wicket. This monumental stand propelled England to an astonishing 823/7 before Ollie Pope declared, leaving them with a huge 267-run lead over Pakistan.
This mammoth total ranks as the fourth highest score in Test cricket history, joining an elite list:
– 952/6d – Sri Lanka vs India, Colombo, 1997
– 903/7d – England vs Australia, The Oval, 1938
– 849 – England vs West Indies, Kingston, 1930
– 823/7d – England vs Pakistan, Multan, 2024*
Brook’s marathon innings ended at 317, while Root was dismissed for an impressive 262. Contributions from Ben Duckett (84) and Zak Crawley (78) also helped keep the scoreboard ticking and maintain pressure on the Pakistani bowlers.
On the bowling front, Naseem Shah and Saim Ayub were the most successful for Pakistan, taking two wickets each. Shaheen Afridi, Aamer Jamal, and Agha Salman also chipped in with one wicket apiece. However, the Pakistani bowlers faced relentless assault, with six of them conceding over 100 runs—a rare feat that marks only the second time this has happened in Test cricket history.
England’s massive first innings total also contributed to one of the highest combined first-innings aggregates in Test history, standing alongside:
– 1489 – Sri Lanka vs India, Colombo, 1997
– 1409 – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Karachi, 2009
– 1379 – Pakistan vs England, Multan, 2024*
With England firmly in control, Pakistan now face a daunting challenge and will need a monumental effort to fight their way back into the match.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/pak-vs-eng-multan-test-england-declare-1st-innings-at-8237-their-highest-team-total-since-world-war-ii
