England’s Harry Brook continues to make headlines with his spectacular performances on Pakistan soil. In the ongoing Test series, Brook hit an unbeaten 141* in Multan, adding another feather to his cap by breaking Imran Khan’s record for most centuries by a foreign player in Pakistan. This century, his third consecutive in the country, places him alongside cricket legends and has solidified his reputation as one of England’s rising stars.
England’s Dominance in Multan Test
After three days of intense play, England piled up 492 runs with only three wickets down, thanks to centuries by Joe Root and Harry Brook. Joe Root, who himself made history by surpassing Alastair Cook as England’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket, contributed a massive 176 runs. His partnership with Brook has put England in a commanding position, trailing Pakistan by only 64 runs.
Brook’s century, which came off just 173 balls, showcased his aggressive batting style, one that has been a hallmark of England’s ‘Bazball’ approach under coach Brendon McCullum. His ability to dominate Pakistani bowlers, who struggled to find reverse swing or spin, has been crucial in England’s fightback.
Brook Breaks Imran Khan’s Record
At just 26 years old, Harry Brook has already made a significant impact in Test cricket. His unbeaten 141* marked his sixth century in just 19 matches, surpassing Pakistan legend Imran Khan’s tally of centuries on Pakistani soil. What’s even more impressive is that this is Brook’s third consecutive century in Pakistan, a feat no other foreign player has achieved in such quick succession.
Brook now stands alongside Mohinder Amarnath and Aravinda de Silva with the most centuries in Pakistan by foreign players. However, Brook achieved this milestone in just six innings, compared to Amarnath’s 18 and de Silva’s 17, further highlighting his extraordinary form.
Brook’s Performance in Pakistan
Brook has made Pakistan his hunting ground, with consistent and dominant performances over the last few years:
- 108, Multan (2022)
- 111, Karachi (2022)
- 141, Multan (2024)*
His ability to build solid partnerships, such as the one with Ben Duckett (84) and Zak Crawley (78), has added immense value to England’s batting line-up, frustrating Pakistani bowlers.
Pakistani Bowlers Struggle
Despite their best efforts, Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, struggled to make any impact. Both picked up a wicket each but were unable to halt England’s momentum. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was also ineffective, giving away 174 runs in 35 overs without taking a wicket.
Root Makes History, Enters Top-5 Test Run Scorers
While Brook grabbed the spotlight, Joe Root quietly made history. By reaching 71 runs during the third day’s play, Root became England’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket, surpassing Alastair Cook’s tally of 12,472 runs. He now ranks fifth in the all-time list of Test run-scorers, joining legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid.
As the match progresses, all eyes are on Harry Brook and Joe Root, who have put England in a strong position to take control of the Test. With records tumbling and milestones being achieved, this Test series has already become one to remember.
