Joe Root’s left-handed batting astounded the entire cricket world

• Root faced up left-handed for the first two deliveries of Pakistan spinner’s sixth over.
• Former England captain failed to find a run after sweeping the first ball right to the fielder at square leg.
• Naseem Shah made a full-length dive, but he only managed to touch it with his fingertips since he took too long to respond.

On Day 4 of the first Test between Pakistan and England, star hitter Joe Root startled the cricketing world by taking the strike and batting left-handed.

When Root faced up left-handed to Zahid Mahmood for the first two deliveries of the Pakistan spinner’s sixth over, he took advantage of the batsman-friendly conditions in Rawalpindi. Shortly after the former England captain reached his fifty, it took place in the 23rd over of England’s second innings.

He failed to find a run after sweeping the first ball right to the fielder at square leg. Root made the identical stroke on the second ball, but this time it was in the air. Naseem Shah, who was stationed close to midwicket, made a full-length dive, but he only managed to touch it with his fingertips since he took too long to respond.

The 31-year-old understood the signal and swiftly abandoned the plan. He then continued to pitch the rest of his inning as a right-hander as usual, ironically outsweeping Mahmood later in the game.

Root was dismissed for 73 as England maintained the aggressive stance they have shown repeatedly throughout this first Test. This time, Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq held on to the catch.

Pakistan was 80/2 at the end of Day 4 and needed 263 runs to defeat England in the first Test.

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