Joe Root and Harry Brook created history for England and etched their name in history books with a stupendous partnership for the fifth wicket. The duo added 454 runs for the fifth wicket against Pakistan in the first Test match in Multan. They broke several records during their partnership and took England beyond the 700-run mark.
Root and Brook now hold the record for registering the highest partnership for England for any wicket in Test cricket. They broke the 67-year-old record held by Colin Cowdrey and Peter May. The duo added 411 runs against West Indies in 1957 in Birmingham.
Root and Brook put on a 454-run partnership. They looked set to add 500 runs for the fifth wicket but Root departed for 262. The former England captain missed out on scoring his maiden triple-century in Tests. Brook is still batting strongly and he could breach the elusive mark.
Apart from registering the highest partnership for England, Root and Brook also became the batsmen with the highest partnership against Pakistan. They broke the 66-year-old record held by Conrad Hunte and Gary Sobers. The West Indies’ duo added 446 runs in Kingston in 1958.
England aim for 300-run lead
England have batted brilliantly in Multan so far and breached the 700-run mark. Their batsmen have maintained a healthy run-rate and the visitors are doing their best to eke out a win. England lead by 178 runs and they aim to put on a lead of more than 300 before declaring the innings.
England could declare their innings after gaining a healthy lead. Pakistan batted brilliantly and scored 556 runs in the first innings. But it won’t be easy for them to bat under pressure on the final day.
England could also declare their innings once Harry Brook completes his triple century. He has scored four centuries in as many Test matches in Pakistan.
