Cricket

England's batting maestro Joe Root has hailed the prodigious talent of young batter Harry Brook, predicting that the 25-year-old will continue to produce "monster scores" in the future. Brook's scintillating triple century in the Multan Test against Pakistan has left an indelible mark on the cricketing world, overshadowing even Root's own career-best 262.Root, who has recently surpassed Alastair Cook as England's leading Test run-getter, believes that Brook possesses the complete skillset to become one of the game's greats. "He's got such a complete game. He can score all around the wicket, he plays seam well, spin well, and high pace well. That's a pretty good recipe for scoring runs," Root said.Brook's calm demeanor and ability to pick runs effortlessly have impressed Root, who has witnessed the youngster's growth firsthand. "I'm not surprised at all in him going on and doing something special like that, but I don't think it'll be the last time we see him with a monster score by his name," Root added.The 454-run partnership between Root and Brook shattered numerous records and left Pakistan reeling. Pakistan's bowlers were unable to contain the onslaught, and their confidence plummeted as England piled on the runs.Root is hopeful that Brook's success will inspire other young players to strive for greatness. "You want to create an environment and a team where things are always improving and always getting better. You want the guys that come in to play with that belief that they can go and do really special things... If guys in the future are breaking records, then England are in a good place, and they're scoring a lot of runs, so hopefully that is the case," he said.Root has enjoyed playing alongside Brook, having first shared the crease with him at Yorkshire. "I love playing with Brooky. I've batted a lot together with him at Yorkshire, and seeing him come into this team and fit so seamlessly into Test cricket has been awesome. To get the opportunity to stand there at the other end and watch him go and smack 300 is pretty surreal, really," Root said.England's declaration at 823/7 left Pakistan with a daunting task of chasing down a mammoth total. Pakistan ended the day on 152/6, still trailing by 115 runs. The match remains finely poised, but England will be confident of securing a victory with their potent bowling attack.

England's relentless dominance against Pakistan continued on Day 4 of the Multan Test, as they etched their name in the history books with a world-record partnership. Joe Root and Harry Brook forged an unprecedented 454-run stand for the fourth wicket, shattering the previous record of 449 set by Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh in 2015.This remarkable partnership is not only the highest for the fourth wicket in Test history but also the highest ever for any wicket by a pair away from home. It also surpasses the previous highest partnership against Pakistan, set by Australia in 1934.Root, who recently surpassed Alastair Cook as England's all-time leading Test run-scorer, looked set to challenge Brian Lara's 400-run total. However, he was dismissed for 262 by Agha Salman, just after he and Brook had broken the world record.Despite Root's departure, England's momentum remained unabated. Earlier on Wednesday, Root had achieved another significant milestone by becoming England's highest run-scorer in Test cricket, surpassing Cook's tally.In his illustrious career, Root has amassed over 20,000 runs in 350 international matches, including 51 centuries and 108 half-centuries. His record-breaking performance in Multan has elevated him to the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test history, surpassing cricketing legends like Younis Khan, Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, and Mahela Jayawardene.Root's remarkable achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. As he continues to climb the ranks of Test cricket's all-time greats, England will undoubtedly look to him for further inspiration and success in the years to come.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has heaped praise on Joe Root after the latter scored his 35th Test century, surpassing the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara. However, despite Root's remarkable consistency, Vaughan believes he has a weakness against one particular bowler: India's Jasprit Bumrah.Vaughan acknowledged that Bumrah is the "only" bowler who poses a significant challenge to Root. "The only bowler he does not quite line up is Jasprit Bumrah, I reckon, but who does?" Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph UK.Vaughan attributed Root's difficulty against Bumrah to the latter's exceptional pace and ability to release the ball quickly. "To be as good as he is you have to pick up the ball so quickly out of the hand, which gives him that extra bit of time," Vaughan explained.Despite this weakness, Vaughan emphasized that Root has no major flaws in his technique. "There is no obvious way to get him out, against pace or spin. At the moment, bowlers are waiting for him to make a mistake," Vaughan said.Root's 35th Test century came in the first Test against Pakistan in Multan, where he remained unbeaten on 176 at the end of Day 3. He is now eyeing his sixth double century on Day 4.Bumrah and Root are likely to face off again in June 2025 when India tours England for a five-match Test series. This series will be part of the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle (2025-27).

Joe Root's masterful double century on the fourth day of the opening Test against Pakistan in Multan has etched his name into the annals of cricketing history. Resuming on 176, Root displayed unwavering composure and patience, reaching his double century off 305 deliveries with just 14 boundaries.This remarkable feat marks Root's sixth double century in Test cricket, surpassing the likes of Rahul Dravid, Alastair Cook, and Graeme Smith, who each scored five double centuries. By joining this elite group, Root now stands alongside legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Ricky Ponting, Marvan Atapattu, Kane Williamson, Javed Miandad, and Younis Khan.Root's double century was a testament to his exceptional technique and unwavering concentration. He played with a calm assurance, unfazed by the pressure of the occasion. His innings was characterized by a combination of elegant drives, deft flicks, and powerful pulls.As Root reached his double century, the Multan Cricket Stadium erupted in applause. The England captain removed his helmet, kissed the badge, and raised his bat in celebration. His teammates rushed onto the field to congratulate him on this historic achievement.Root's double century has not only cemented his status as one of the greatest batsmen of his generation but has also given England a significant advantage in the Test match. With Pakistan still trailing by a substantial margin, Root's innings has put England in a commanding position to secure a victory in Multan.

England's Harry Brook Escapes Miraculous Dismissal in Multan TestIn a moment of sheer luck, England's Harry Brook narrowly avoided a game-changing dismissal during the first Test against Pakistan in Multan on Wednesday. During the 75th over, Pakistan's Aamer Jamal bowled a delivery that nipped back in as Brook attempted a late stab. The ball deflected off Brook's body and trickled back towards the stumps, but despite hitting them, the bails remained stubbornly in place.This stroke of fortune for Brook came in stark contrast to the stellar performance of his teammate Joe Root, who stole the show with a majestic hundred. Root broke Alastair Cook's record to become England's highest run-scorer in Test cricket, surpassing Cook's total of 12,472 runs. Root's masterclass innings of 119 not out helped steer England to 351/3 at tea on day three.Unfazed by his near miss, Brook went on to register a gritty half-century, ending the session unbeaten on 64. Together with Root, the pair put on a 102-run stand, frustrating the Pakistani camp on a flat Multan surface.Brook's escape and Root's record-breaking century have put England in a commanding position in the first Test. With two days remaining, England will be looking to build on their advantage and secure a crucial victory in the three-match series.

Joe Root Surpasses Sunil Gavaskar's Test Century RecordFormer England captain Joe Root has etched his name into the annals of cricket history by surpassing Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar's record of 34 Test centuries. Root achieved this remarkable feat on the third day of the first Test match against Pakistan in Multan on Wednesday.Root's 35th Test century came in the second session of the day with a single off Abrar Ahmed. The milestone marked a significant moment in the career of the 31-year-old batsman, who has established himself as one of the most prolific run-scorers in modern cricket.Known for his exceptional technique against both spin and pace, Root has been a consistent performer in all conditions. His adaptability and ability to score runs at a high rate have earned him a place among the "Fab Four" (alongside Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith).Root's achievement is particularly noteworthy considering the stature of Sunil Gavaskar, who was regarded as one of the greatest openers in cricket history. Gavaskar's record of 34 Test centuries stood for nearly two decades until Sachin Tendulkar surpassed it.By scoring his 35th Test hundred, Root also surpassed Mahela Jayawardene, Brian Lara, and Younis Khan, all of whom had scored 34 Test centuries. This achievement further cements Root's status as one of the most prolific batsmen of his generation.Root's record-breaking century is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. It is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Sunil Gavaskar and a reminder of the enduring power of cricket's greatest batsmen.

England's former white-ball captain Eoin Morgan has urged the team to recall Joe Root and Ben Stokes for next year's Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Morgan believes that the experienced duo's presence is crucial for England's success in the tournament.Root and Stokes last played ODIs at the 2023 World Cup, where England suffered a disappointing group-stage exit. While they will not feature in the upcoming series against West Indies, England have indicated that they remain in contention for selection.Morgan emphasized the importance of Root and Stokes' experience and leadership qualities. He pointed out that England's recent series defeat against Australia exposed the team's lack of depth in the absence of key players."When you put them up against a side that didn't have Archer, Wood, Stokes, Root, and Buttler, that's half your England team," Morgan said. "The younger players have found a template, but they need to continue with that and look ahead to the Champions Trophy."Morgan believes that the West Indies series will provide an opportunity for younger players to prove themselves, but he expects McCullum to recall the senior players when he takes over as white-ball coach in January."The younger players have an opportunity in front of them, but that opportunity can be quickly taken away when those big names come back," Morgan said. "Stokes and Root are in the best team, and they need to be there for the Champions Trophy."England have only six more ODIs before the Champions Trophy, and Morgan believes that the team must use this time wisely to find the best possible combination.

Pakistan vs England Live Score 1st Test Day 3: England Trails by 460 Runs in MultanEngland will resume Day 3 of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan trailing by a massive 460 runs. Pakistan posted a mammoth 556 in their first innings, leaving England with a daunting task to avoid a follow-on.England's hopes rest on the shoulders of Zak Crawley, who will resume on 64 not out. Crawley has been in impressive form, scoring a century in the warm-up match against the Pakistan Shaheens. He will be joined by former captain Joe Root, who is unbeaten on 32.England's start to their innings was hampered by the early dismissal of skipper Ollie Pope. Pope was forced to bat up the order after opener Ben Duckett suffered an injury while taking a catch on Day 2.England need another 261 runs to avoid a follow-on, a target that is achievable on a pitch that has offered little assistance to the bowlers. However, Pakistan's bowlers will be looking to make early inroads and put England under pressure.The match is evenly poised heading into Day 3, with both teams having a chance to take control. England will be hoping to build on their solid start and put themselves in a position to challenge Pakistan's total. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be looking to take wickets and put England under pressure.

England's batting maestro Joe Root has taken a significant step towards equaling the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's remarkable record of amassing 1000-plus Test runs in the most calendar years.In the ongoing Test match against Pakistan, Root played a crucial role in stabilizing England's innings after the early dismissal of stand-in skipper Ollie Pope. With Pakistan posting a formidable 556 runs on the back of centuries from Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, and Shan Masood, England faced an uphill task.Root approached his innings with caution, ensuring that England did not lose further wickets. He rotated the strike effectively, found the boundary twice, and remained unbeaten on 32 runs from 54 deliveries.This performance marked Root's fifth calendar year in which he has crossed the 1000-run mark in Test cricket. He now stands level with cricket icons Brian Lara, Matthew Hayden, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, and Alastair Cook for achieving this feat.To match Tendulkar's record, Root needs to accumulate 1000 Test runs in one more calendar year. Tendulkar currently holds the record with six calendar years in which he achieved this milestone.Zak Crawley played an aggressive role for England, scoring a brisk 64 runs from 64 deliveries. His innings, which included 11 fours, put pressure on the Pakistan bowlers.The duo of Root and Crawley forged an unbeaten 92-run partnership, guiding England to a score of 96/1 at the end of the day's play. They trail Pakistan by 460 runs, with plenty of work still to do in the remaining days of the Test match.