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England Bowlers Spark Pakistan Collapse After Brook’s Triple Century in First Test
England dominated Day 4 of the first Test in Multan as Harry Brook's sensational 317 and Joe Root's record-breaking 262 powered them to a mammoth 823-7 declared. Pakistan struggled in reply, ending the day at 152-6 with Agha Salman and Aamer Jamal fighting to avoid an innings defeat. Will Pakistan pull off a comeback on the final day?
ND
by News Desk
2024-10-10
England Bowlers Spark Pakistan Collapse After Brook’s Triple Century in First Test

England’s bowlers took charge on the fourth day of the first Test in Multan, triggering a Pakistan batting collapse after a dominant batting display led by Harry Brook’s brilliant 317 and Joe Root’s career-best 262. England declared their innings at a mammoth 823-7, putting Pakistan on the back foot with a daunting 267-run lead.

By the end of the day, Pakistan had slumped to 152-6, with Agha Salman unbeaten on 41 and Aamer Jamal holding the fort with 27 not out. The pair put up a fighting 70-run partnership for the seventh wicket, but Pakistan still require 115 runs to avoid an innings defeat on the final day.

England’s Batting Dominance

Harry Brook and Joe Root’s monumental partnership of 454 for the fourth wicket was the highlight of England’s innings. Brook’s 317 came off 310 balls, laced with 29 boundaries and three sixes, making it his career-best score. Root, who became England’s leading Test run-scorer on Day 3, added to his legacy with his sixth double-century in Tests, hitting 17 boundaries in his marathon 10-hour knock.

The pair helped England post the fourth-highest total in Test cricket history, with their partnership surpassing Peter May and Colin Cowdrey’s 411-run stand from 1957.

Pakistan’s Struggles with the Bat

Pakistan’s batting woes continued as they faltered in their second innings. Chris Woakes struck with the very first ball, dismissing opener Abdullah Shafique for a duck. The collapse deepened when skipper Shan Masood (11), Babar Azam (5), and Saim Ayub (25) all fell cheaply before the team reached 50 runs.

Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse added to Pakistan’s misery, taking key wickets, including Mohammad Rizwan (10) and Saud Shakeel (29). Spinner Jack Leach also contributed by dismissing Shakeel, reducing Pakistan to a precarious position.

Brook and Root’s Record-Setting Knocks

Harry Brook’s triple century was his finest display of batting in international cricket. He reached the milestone with a boundary off part-time spinner Saim Ayub but fell shortly after to a top-edged sweep, caught by Shan Masood. His knock lasted 439 minutes and cemented his place as a key player for England.

Root, who surpassed Alastair Cook’s record for most Test runs by an Englishman on Wednesday, continued his fine form, narrowly missing out on a triple century. He was eventually trapped leg-before by Agha Salman after a 10-hour vigil at the crease.

Pakistan’s Bowling Woes

Pakistan’s bowling attack struggled on the flat Multan pitch, with Naseem Shah (2-157) and Saim Ayub (2-101) picking up the most wickets. The absence of frontline spinner Abrar Ahmed, who missed the day’s play due to illness, added to Pakistan’s challenges.

Looking Ahead

With Pakistan still trailing by 115 runs and six wickets down, the pressure is mounting on Agha Salman and Aamer Jamal to rescue the team from a likely innings defeat. England, on the other hand, will be keen to wrap up the match early on the final day and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

As the final day looms, all eyes will be on Pakistan’s lower order to see if they can produce a miraculous comeback or if England will secure a comprehensive victory in the first Test.
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TestCricket

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