Pak vs Eng: Root scores double century, secures England’s lead over Pakistan
Resuming their innings at 492-3 on the fourth day of the first Test, England’s Joe Root scored a double century, giving them a slim lead against Pakistan’s total of 556. England is now ahead by 11 runs, with the score at 567-3. Root remains at the crease with 217, while Harry Brook is also going strong at 174.
Pakistan, led by Shan Masood, faced a challenge as their leg-spinner Abrar Ahmad couldn’t take the field due to fever. Abrar has bowled 35 overs so far without taking a wicket, giving away 174 runs.
To make matters worse for Pakistan, Babar Azam dropped an easy catch, giving Root another chance. Root had attempted a pull shot off Naseem Shah’s bowling but was let off when Babar missed the catch on the leg side.
Starting his day on 32*, Root passed Alastair Cook’s record of 12,472 runs and showed his experience at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Meanwhile, Brook reached his century in the 84th over, marking his sixth Test hundred and fourth against Pakistan, hitting eight fours and one six along the way. It took him 118 balls to reach his hundred.
Earlier, England lost Zak Crawley for 78 in the first hour when he flicked a ball from Shaheen Afridi to Aamer Jamal at mid-wicket. That ended a strong 109-run partnership for the second wicket, but England kept pushing forward.
Playing XI:
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir
