Joe Root scored an unbeaten half-century to surpass Alastair Cook as England’s all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket, guiding England to 232-2 at lunch on the third day of their first match against Pakistan.

Root, who started the day at 32 not out, needed 39 more runs to eclipse Cook’s tally of 12,472 runs. He reached the milestone with a well-timed on-drive for four off Aamer Jamal, earning applause from the English fans. By lunch, Root was unbeaten on 72, with Ben Duckett supporting him on 80 not out.

England, trailing by 324 runs, began the day at 96-1 in response to Pakistan’s 556-run total. The team lost Zak Crawley early in the session for 78, when he flicked a Shaheen Afridi delivery to Aamer Jamal at mid-wicket, ending a 109-run second-wicket partnership.

Duckett, who dislocated his left thumb on Tuesday, showed no signs of discomfort, quickly reaching his half-century in just 45 balls. His aggressive batting forced Pakistan to temporarily take Abrar Ahmed out of the attack as England maintained a strong run rate.

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