Pakistan vs England LIVE: Cricket score and first Test updates as Root and Brook help build mammoth total
Follow all the action from Multan Cricket Stadium as England and Pakistan rocket towards a draw
Joe Root has overhauled Sir Alastair Cook as England’s record run scorer in Test cricket, passing his former captain’s mark of 12,472 on day three of the series opener against Pakistan.
Root arrived in the country needing 71 to take top spot and got there in his first innings, seizing a crown he has long been destined for in typically assured fashion on the third morning in Multan.
The 33-year-old assumed the mantle with a check drive for four off Aamer Jamal, moving fifth on the all-time list in his 147th Test appearance – 14 fewer than Cook managed before his retirement in 2018.
It was a typically assured innings from the Yorkshireman and sorely needed after he came to the crease with England on 4-1 in reply to Pakistan’s bumper score of 556 but a lifeless pitch allowed the visitors to soar past their hosts’ total as Root passed 250 run and fellow Yorkshireman Harry Brook joined him in clearing 200 as the game appeared destined for a draw..
Follow all the latest coverage in the live blog below:
Pakistan vs England
0.1
NEW BALL. Shaheen Afridi to Zak Crawley. In-swinging length ball, to leg on the front foot defending, to silly mid off for no runs, fielded by Khan.
Pakistan vs England
148.6
OUT! Caught. Joe Root to Abrar Ahmed. Quicker ball short, wide down leg side on the back foot Steer, mis-timed to first slip, caught by Duckett.
Pakistan vs England
148.5
Joe Root to Abrar Ahmed. Off break length ball, down leg side down the track Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on for 2 runs, fielded by Carse.
Pakistan vs England
148.4
Joe Root to Salman Ali Agha. Off break half volley, wide down leg side on the front foot sweeping, to fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Duckett.
Pakistan vs England
148.3
Joe Root to Salman Ali Agha. Off break length ball, down leg side on the front foot defending, back to bowler for no runs.
Pakistan vs England
148.2
Joe Root to Salman Ali Agha. Leg spinner length ball, down leg side on the back foot defending, thick edge to fourth slip for no runs, fielded by Smith.
Pakistan vs England
148.1
Joe Root to Salman Ali Agha. Off break length ball, down leg side on the front foot working, to deep mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Crawley.
Pakistan vs England
147.6
Jack Leach to Abrar Ahmed. Stock length ball, off stump on the back foot working, to square leg for no runs, fielded by Woakes.
Pakistan vs England
147.5
Jack Leach to Salman Ali Agha. Stock length ball, down leg side down the track Slog, mis-timed to long on for 1 run, fielded by Brook.
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