England became the first team in over 27 years to surpass 800 runs in Test cricket, piling on the runs in Multan during the opening Test against Pakistan. Harry Brook etched his name into the record books by becoming the sixth Englishman to score a triple century, notching 317 off 322 balls. His remarkable innings marked the second-fastest triple hundred in Test history, and he appeared poised to challenge Brian Lara’s iconic 400 before falling short.
Joe Root also looked set for a triple century before Agha Salman trapped him leg-before-wicket for 262. The duo had shared an extraordinary 454-run partnership, which was the fourth-highest ever for any wicket in Test cricket. England eventually declared at 823/7, securing a commanding first-innings lead of 267.
Resuming the post-lunch session at 658/3, Brook accelerated with early boundaries, bringing up his 250 to join Root in reaching the landmark. Their 454-run partnership marked only the third instance in Test history where two batters scored 250-plus in the same innings. Just as both were on the brink of triple tons, Salman managed to dismiss Root with a delivery that stayed low.
Following Root’s departure, Jamie Smith made his intentions clear with a boundary on his second ball, as England showed no signs of easing the pressure. Brook continued to dominate, hitting Salman for a six and boundary, before smashing another six off Naseem Shah to enter the 290s. He reached his 300 off just 310 balls, the second-fastest in Test history, only behind Virender Sehwag’s triple century against South Africa in 2008. However, Pakistan picked up a few late wickets, curbing Brook’s hopes of challenging Lara’s record before England declared.
Brief scores:
England 823/7d (Harry Brook 317, Joe Root 262) lead Pakistan 556 by 267 runs.
