England Edge Towards Victory After Record-Breaking Day in Multan

England appear set to claim a remarkable victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Multan, following a dazzling display of batting and a late charge with the ball on the fourth day. Harry Brook and Joe Root rewrote the record books as England piled up an imposing 823-7 declared. With Pakistan trailing by 115 runs and six wickets down, England are on the brink of a win that will resonate through the history books.

Record-Breaking Partnership Powers England

Brook and Root’s batting masterclass saw England reach some staggering statistical heights. Brook’s monumental 317, the first triple-century by an English batter in 34 years, placed him alongside legends of the game. Only five English players have previously reached that mark, and Brook’s 454-run partnership with Root, who made a sublime 262, now ranks as the fourth-highest for any wicket in the annals of Test cricket.

In a scene that will be long remembered, Root reached his double-century, his sixth in Tests. As he pulled England to an imposing position, Brook made history with his ruthless hitting, showing a mastery of strokes from every page of the batting manual. His three hundred came at a blistering pace, off just 310 deliveries, second only in speed to the great Virender Sehwag.

England’s innings total of 823 is their highest since 1938 and the fourth-highest in Test cricket. After Pakistan’s formidable first innings of 556, England’s innings lead of 267 has placed them in an almost unassailable position, particularly with the host’s top-order crumbling under the pressure.

Magnificent Brook Sets His Mark

This was a statement innings from a young player whose stock in world cricket continues to rise. Brook played with a blend of classical strokes and unorthodox flair, toying with the Pakistani bowlers. He moved from 250 to 300 in just 29 balls, showing the ease with which he toyed with the opposition.

Reflecting on the achievement, Brook’s performance was a nod to some of the game’s most cherished records. He surpassed his own previous Test best of 186 and fell just short of Sir Len Hutton’s 364, the highest individual score by an English batter. Despite the missed opportunity to reach that summit, Brook’s innings stands among the most memorable performances in English cricket.

Root, meanwhile, was his usual self: precise, disciplined, and relentless. As he surpassed Sir Alastair Cook’s record for the most Test runs by an Englishman, his significance in England’s ascent became all the more apparent. “It’s been a phenomenal couple of days,” Root reflected, crediting the team’s tenacity and their ability to extract every ounce of advantage from the conditions.

England’s Bowlers Push for a Famous Win

When Pakistan came out to bat, England’s bowlers quickly dismantled any illusion of a second-inning comeback. Chris Woakes set the tone with a searing delivery that sent Abdullah Shafique’s off-stump cartwheeling, followed by a series of probing spells that exposed the vulnerability in Pakistan’s top order.

Shan Masood was fortunate to survive two dropped catches, but Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse didn’t allow Pakistan any breathing space. Atkinson dismissed Babar Azam with a perfectly pitched delivery that found the edge, while Carse claimed two quick wickets, leaving Pakistan reeling at 152 for 6 by the end of the day. England now need only four wickets to wrap up what has been a dominant performance on all fronts.

Triumph in Sight for England

After the day’s play, former England bowler Steven Finn commented on Test Match Special, “Joe Root ran so much today. He did the really difficult job building those partnerships… It was a wonderful lesson in sub-continental technique, concentration, and skill.” Root’s innings provided the steady base from which Brook launched his unforgettable assault.

With a lead of 115 runs and the hosts struggling at 152-6, England are poised for a famous victory. Never before has a team conceded 550 runs in the first innings and gone on to win by an innings. England’s batsmen have created a mountain too high for Pakistan to climb, and the bowling unit has backed it up with a focused assault in the final session. A win here would not only add to England’s proud history but also showcase the depth and resilience of this side.