Harry Brook Smashes 317 as England Breach 800 in Record-Breaking Innings Against Pakistan

Multan (Pakistan): England made history on Thursday by becoming the first team in over 27 years to surpass the 800-run mark in Test cricket, piling up a mammoth 823/7 in the opening Test against Pakistan in Multan.

Harry Brook stole the show, smashing 317 off 322 balls, registering the second-fastest triple century in Test history. Brook became only the sixth English batsman to register a triple ton, and his aggressive play hinted at a possible chase for Brian Lara’s record of 400 before he was eventually dismissed.

Joe Root also played a pivotal role with 262, narrowly missing a triple century himself after being trapped leg-before-wicket by Agha Salman. The pair forged a mammoth 454-run partnership, the fourth-highest in Test history, dominating the Pakistani bowlers throughout the first half of the day.

Resuming after lunch at 658/3, Brook quickly reached 250, matching Root. Both looked set to escalate further before Root fell to a delivery that kept low.

Brook, meanwhile, continued his assault, smashing boundaries and sixes to race to 300 in just 310 balls, second only to Virender Sehwag’s record against South Africa in 2008.

England’s declaration at 823/7 handed them a commanding 267-run lead over Pakistan.

Brief scores: England 823/7 d (Harry Brook 317, Joe Root 262) lead Pakistan 556 by 267 runs.