Pak vs Eng Test-1 Day 3: Root-Brook Partnership Propels Visitors to 492/3 at Stumps
England scores 396 runs in 81 overs on day three
A commanding partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook has placed the visiting team in a dominant position, reaching 492/3 at the stumps of the third day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
- England is now trailing by 64 runs in response to the home team’s total of 556.
- Former England captain Joe Root delivered an impressive 176-run innings, becoming the highest run-scorer in Test cricket for England.
- Brook hits sixth century in unbeaten 243-stand with Root
Root began the day unbeaten on 32, needing just 39 more runs to surpass Alastair Cook’s record of 12,472 Test runs for England. He achieved this milestone effortlessly, driving Aamer Jamal for four before receiving a rousing ovation from the travelling English fans.
Root’s half-century helped guide England to 232-2 by lunch on the third day. Following his departure, Harry Brook completed his century in the 84th over, smashing eight fours and a six. Brook’s century—his sixth in Test cricket and fourth against Pakistan—came off 118 balls, and he remained unbeaten at 141 by the day’s end.
Earlier, the visitors resumed their innings at 96-1, chasing the home side’s mammoth first-innings total of 556 on a flat pitch. England lost Zak Crawley for 78 inside the first hour when he flicked a delivery from Shaheen Afridi to Aamer Jamal at mid-wicket, ending a 109-run partnership for the second wicket. However, England maintained their aggressive approach.
Ben Duckett, who had dislocated his left thumb while fielding on Tuesday, showed no signs of discomfort when he came to the crease. He launched a counter-attack, temporarily forcing spinner Abrar Ahmed out of the attack with three boundaries in the 30th over. Duckett needed just 45 balls to reach his half-century, as the home side struggled to contain the visitors’ run rate, which remained above five an over.