October 10, 2024: In a record-breaking display during day four of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan, England’s batters Harry Brook and Joe Root produced a stunning partnership of 454 runs, breaking a 67-year-old record for the highest partnership by an English pair in Test cricket.
Their efforts helped England post a massive first-innings total of 823/7 declared, surpassing Pakistan’s 556 and taking a lead of 267 runs.
Root’s innings of 262 in 375 balls (17 fours) and Brook’s triple century of 317 in 322 balls (29 fours and 3 sixes) shattered multiple records:
- The partnership broke the previous English record of 411 runs, set by Colin Cowdrey and Peter May in 1957.
- It became the highest-ever partnership against Pakistan, surpassing the 446-run stand by Conrad Hunte and Garry Sobers in 1958.
- This partnership is now the fourth-highest in Test history, with the top stand being 624 runs between Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara for Sri Lanka in 2006.
Brook’s triple century was the fastest by an English batter and the second-fastest overall, achieved in just 310 balls, behind Virender Sehwag‘s triple ton in 278 balls. Brook is now the sixth English batter to reach the triple-century mark, joining legends like Len Hutton and Wally Hammond.
Root’s innings also made him the first England player to surpass 20,000 international runs, joining Virat Kohli as the only active cricketers to have 20,000 runs and 50 international centuries. Root’s double hundred equaled Graeme Smith’s record of four double centuries away from home and made him England’s second-highest scorer of double tons, only behind Wally Hammond.
England’s innings of 823/7 was the fourth-highest total in Test cricket and the highest total ever by a visiting team in Pakistan, surpassing India’s 675/5 in 2004.
By the end of day four, Pakistan was struggling at 152/6, trailing by 115 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Agha Salman (41) and Aamer Jamal (27) remained unbeaten heading into the final day.
