Pakistan’s hopes of salvaging the Multan Test against England dwindled further as the visitors piled on a mammoth 823/7d in their first innings, leaving the hosts with a daunting task to avoid a crushing defeat.
Despite posting a formidable 556 in their first innings, Pakistan’s bowlers were unable to contain the English onslaught, with Harry Brook and Joe Root amassing a record-breaking 454-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Brook (317) and Root (262) both registered career-best scores on a flat Multan pitch, feasting on the Pakistani bowling attack.
The Pakistan bowlers endured a torrid time, with six of them conceding over 100 runs in an innings for the first time in 20 years and only the second time in Test cricket history. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Aamer Jamal, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ali, and Salman Ali Agha joined an infamous group of bowlers who conceded centuries in an innings.
England resumed Day 4 on 492-3 and continued their relentless scoring, adding 166 runs in 29 overs in the first session. Root and Brook remained unyielding, despite Pakistan’s defensive leg-side bowling.
Root’s previous best of 254 was also against Pakistan in Manchester in 2016. Brook, in his maiden Test double hundred, displayed equal dominance, hitting 20 boundaries and a six off just 245 balls. His previous best was 186, scored against New Zealand at Wellington last year.
Pakistan’s only glimmer of hope came in the first hour when Root, on 186, failed to keep down a pull shot off Shah. However, Babar Azam dropped a regulation chance at mid-wicket, allowing Root to continue his onslaught.
Root eventually completed his sixth Test double-century, which came in 517 minutes off 305 balls. Pakistan were without frontline spinner Abrar Ahmed, who suffered a fever and did not take the field on Thursday.
With England’s massive lead, Pakistan face an uphill battle to avoid a heavy defeat in the Multan Test.
