Multan witnessed an extraordinary day of cricket during the first Test between England and Pakistan, but it wasn’t just the dominant performance that grabbed headlines. Amid England’s colossal batting display, Joe Root was seen drying his clothes—underpants, T-shirt, and other garments—right inside Multan Stadium.
This quirky moment, shared by the England Barmy Army on Instagram, showed Root’s gear hung out to dry under the scorching Multan heat after his monumental innings. Fans and cricket lovers took a light-hearted jab at the scene, but for many, it symbolized England’s easygoing nature on the field, especially given the commanding position they were in.
England’s Batting Masterclass: Brook’s Triple Century, Root’s Heroics
Beyond this humorous incident, the real highlight was Harry Brook’s historic triple century. Brook made a remarkable 317 runs off 322 balls, becoming the first England batsman in 34 years to achieve this feat in Test cricket. His dazzling knock included 29 fours and 3 sixes, setting new records for England.
Brook’s innings was complemented by Joe Root, who also played a sensational knock, scoring 262. Together, they built a record-breaking 454-run partnership, taking England to a mammoth total of 823/7 before declaring. This partnership is now England’s highest in Test history, and the fourth-highest overall in Test cricket.
This duo also became the first England pair to score two double-century partnerships in Test cricket, joining an elite group of just nine such pairs worldwide.
Historic Records Broken in Multan
England’s monumental batting performance saw several records fall:
- Harry Brook’s 317 surpassed Denis Compton’s 278 as the highest individual score by an England batsman against Pakistan, a record that had stood since 1954.
- Brook also now holds the record for the highest score by an England male batsman in Asia, breaking Alastair Cook’s 263 made against Pakistan in 2015.
- Joe Root’s 262 is now his personal best in Tests, overtaking his previous record of 254 scored against Pakistan in 2016.
Root’s sixth double century moved him past Cook on England’s all-time list for the most Test double centuries. Root now ranks joint-seventh on the all-time list globally.
Incredibly, Root has now become the only non-Asian player to score three double centuries in Asia, surpassing legends like AB de Villiers, Brian Lara, and Brendon McCullum, who each have two.
Pakistan’s Struggles Continue
While England’s dominance was evident with both bat and ball, Pakistan had a day to forget. After conceding a massive lead of 267 runs, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure. By the close of the fourth day, Pakistan had been reduced to 152-6, still trailing by 115 runs.
To make matters worse, Pakistan’s key spinner Abrar Ahmed was admitted to the hospital due to fever and body pain, further weakening their chances of a comeback.
England’s Bowlers Shine in Final Session
England’s bowlers, especially Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, bowled with precision and aggression, putting Pakistan’s fragile batting order under constant pressure. Their efforts ensured England ended the day in complete control, with Pakistan’s batting lineup unable to withstand the intensity of England’s attack.
Joe Root’s lighthearted kit-drying moment may have sparked laughter across social media, but it was England’s serious cricketing prowess that truly defined the day in Multan. Their exceptional performance with both bat and ball has left Pakistan staring at a probable defeat, capping off what could be a historic win for England.
