England declared their first innings at a staggering 823-7 before tea on the fourth day of the opening Test against Pakistan, securing a lead of 267 runs.

Harry Brook achieved an impressive score of 317, marking his first triple century, while Joe Root scored 262, with both players reaching their highest Test scores on the flat surface of the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Resuming their innings from 492-3, Root and Brook surpassed Pakistan’s total of 556 runs by reaching 658-3 at lunch. Their partnership of 409 runs for the fourth wicket was a masterclass in batting, coming off 488 deliveries. The duo’s outstanding display helped England secure a first-innings lead of 102 runs.

Meanwhile, Pakistan faced challenges, particularly with the absence of leg-spinner Abrar Ahmad, who was unable to play due to fever, having conceded 174 runs in his 35 overs without taking a wicket.

Additionally, Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam missed a critical catch, allowing Root to continue his innings after an attempted pull shot off Naseem Shah.

Root not only surpassed former teammate Alastair Cook’s tally of 12,472 runs but also became the first English batsman to reach 20,000 international runs during the morning session, further solidifying his legacy. Meanwhile, Brook delighted the traveling English fans, particularly when Root reached 250 with a well-placed boundary.

As the Test progresses, England’s dominant batting performance sets a challenging target for Pakistan, highlighting the visitors’ prowess in the longer format of the game.

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