England have set a new record for the highest innings total against Pakistan, reaching an incredible 823 runs on the fourth day of the first Test match in Multan.
This remarkable achievement is only the second instance in cricket history where a team has exceeded the 700-run mark in a Test match against Pakistan, with the West Indies being the first to do so by scoring 790 for 3 in 1958.
This milestone is particularly significant as it represents the first instance in the 21st century where a team has scored over 800 runs in a Test match. The last team to achieve this was Sri Lanka, who posted a staggering 952 for 6 against India in 1997.
|
Team |
Score |
Opposition |
Ground |
Match Date |
|
Sri Lanka |
952/6d |
v India |
Colombo (RPS) |
2 Aug 1997 |
|
England |
903/7d |
v Australia |
The Oval |
20 Aug 1938 |
|
England |
849 |
v West Indies |
Kingston |
3 Apr 1930 |
|
England |
823/7d |
v Pakistan |
Multan |
7 Oct 2024 |
|
West Indies |
790/3d |
v Pakistan |
Kingston |
26 Feb 1958 |
England has now accounted for three of the four instances of 800-plus runs in Test cricket history, having previously scored 849 against the West Indies in 1930 and 903 against Australia in 1938.
In today’s innings, England declared at 823 for 7, thanks to spectacular performances from Harry Brook and Joe Root. Brook led the charge with a breathtaking 317 runs, while Root contributed a remarkable 262. Root’s innings also saw him surpass Alastair Cook as England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer, making him the first English batsman to reach the landmark of 20,000 international runs during the morning session, with a beautifully driven boundary.
Root, who had a lucky escape on 186 when Babar Azam dropped an easy catch at mid-wicket, capitalized on this reprieve and went on to secure his sixth double century. His achievement also placed him ahead of Cook in terms of double tons, with only Wally Hammond standing in front of him on England’s list of double century makers.
As the day progressed, Brook continued to dazzle the English fans present at the stadium, cheering loudly as Root effortlessly reached 250 with a scooped boundary off Naseem Shah. The historic innings and the thrilling partnership between Brook and Root have not only set a new benchmark for England but also captivated cricket fans around the world.
