England runs record will mean lot more with Test victory, says Root

Joe Root became England’s all-time top run-scorer during the first Test against Pakistan, surpassing Alastair Cook. Root’s impressive 262 in the first innings, along with Harry Brook’s remarkable 317 off nearly a run-a-ball, powered England to a massive 823-7 before declaring, marking their highest Test total since World War II. Despite his milestone, Root was more focused on the match itself, with Pakistan struggling at 152-6 after their top order collapsed. He expressed that while breaking records was meaningful, winning the Test was his main priority.

Root’s innings brought him to fifth on the all-time Test run-scorers list with 12,664 runs, and Cook backed him to potentially surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 15,921 runs. However, Root remained grounded, saying he’s more concerned with contributing to England’s future victories and isn’t focused on records for now. The heat and tough conditions in Pakistan also played a role in keeping his emotions in check. Root emphasized the importance of mental resilience and preparation, which helped him endure the long innings.

Root also praised his partnership with Harry Brook, their 454-run stand becoming the fourth-highest in Test history. He described Brook’s performance as “outstanding” and enjoyed their time at the crease together. Root highlighted how their familiarity from playing together for Yorkshire and England helped them maintain momentum. Root concluded by saying that playing alongside Brook was fun, and the partnership was a key factor in keeping the team’s spirits high during the match.