NEW DELHI: Harry Brook and Joe Root achieved an unprecedented feat in Test cricket history on the fourth day of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan. Their remarkable partnership of 454 runs shattered previous records and set a new benchmark for batting excellence.
The English team’s batting performance was nothing short of extraordinary, as they amassed a staggering total of 823 runs for the loss of seven wickets before declaring their innings.This monumental score showcased the team’s batting prowess and their ability to dominate the opposition bowlers.
Total Score
It was the fourth time a team scored more than 800 runs – and the first time this century. Only three totals have been bigger: Sri Lanka’s 952-6 declared against India in 1997; England’s 903-7 declared against Australia in 1938; and England’s 849 all out against the West Indies in 1930
Highest partnership against Pakistan in Test cricket
The highest partnerships against Pakistan in Test cricket are led by Joe Root and Harry Brook, who set a new record with a 454-run stand for England in Multan, 2024. This surpassed the previous highest of 446 runs by West Indies’ Conrad Hunte and Garry Sobers in Kingston, 1958. Following them is the 437-run partnership between Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera in Karachi, 2009. India’s Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag also feature on this list with their 410-run stand in Lahore, 2006.
Joe Root
Root became England’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket with his career-best knock of 262, surpassing Alastair Cook. This achievement moved him to fifth place on the all-time list of Test run-scorers, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid.
Harry Brook
Harry Brook outshone Joe Root with a stunning knock of 317, placing him tied for 20th on the list of highest individual scores in Test cricket. He became the sixth Englishman to score a triple century, and the first to achieve this feat since Graham Gooch in 1990.
Fastest triple hundreds (by balls faced)
The fastest triple centuries in Test cricket, by balls faced, is led by Virender Sehwag, who scored a blistering 300 off just 278 balls against South Africa in Chennai, 2008. Harry Brook follows with his rapid 310-ball triple hundred against Pakistan in Multan, 2024. Matthew Hayden is third with his 362-ball triple century against Zimbabwe in Perth, 2003, while Sehwag makes another appearance, having scored a 300 off 364 balls against Pakistan in Multan, 2004.
Six bowlers conceded 100-plus in a Test innings
Six Pakistan bowlers conceded more than 100 runs. It is just the second time that has happened in Tests, after Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in 2004.
Highest Team total in Pakistan
England’s total is now the highest by a visiting team in Pakistan, surpassing India’s 675/5 declared against Pakistan in Multan in 2004.
Another first
The run rate of 5.48 by England is the highest in 700-plus team total in a Test innings.
Triple hundred against Pakistan in Tests
The highest individual scores against Pakistan in Test cricket include Garry Sobers’ unbeaten 365 in Kingston, 1958, followed by David Warner’s 335* for Australia in Adelaide, 2019. Mark Taylor scored an unbeaten 334 for Australia in Peshawar, 1998, while Virender Sehwag made 309 for India in Multan, 2004. Brook added his name to the list with a 317-run knock.
Highest partnerships in Test cricket history
The highest partnerships in Test cricket history are led by Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, who set a record with an incredible 624-run stand for Sri Lanka against South Africa in Colombo, 2006. Following them are Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama, who put together 576 runs for Sri Lanka against India in Colombo, 1997. New Zealand’s Martin Crowe and Andrew Jones also made their mark with a partnership of 467 runs against Sri Lanka in Wellington, 1999. Joe Root and Harry Brook joined this prestigious list with a remarkable 454-run partnership for England against Pakistan in Multan, 2024.
