England dominates after massive Root-Brook partnership exposes Multan pitch.
England secured a commanding first-innings lead over Pakistan in Multan after an unbroken 409-run stand between Joe Root and Harry Brook.
Root’s monumental undefeated 259 and Harry Brook‘s scintillating double hundred of 218 took England to 658/3 at lunch on day four. The record partnership eclipsed Pakistan’s first innings total of 556.
The pair added 166 runs in just 29 overs to comfortably surpass the opponent’s score, with Root going past Alastair Cook as England’s highest run-scorer.
Brook smashed 20 boundaries and a six in his maiden Test ton, capitalizing on the flat Multan track that offered negligible assistance to bowlers.
Root too cashed in after Babar Azam dropped him on 186, reaching a sixth double-century. The surface is now facing scrutiny for lacking a contest between bat and ball.
Earlier, Pakistan had posted 556 courtesy captain Shan Masood’s 151 and centuries from Agha Salman and Abdullah Shafique.
However, the massive England response has highlighted concerns about the quality of Pakistani pitches. The team is already under criticism for unimpressive performances across formats.
The match is in danger of ending in a tame draw, much to the disappointment of fans and critics alike seeking a truly competitive encounter.
