England captain Joe Root continued his phenomenal Test career on Thursday, tying the record for the most 50-plus scores in the format during the first Test match against Pakistan at Headingley.
The batsman has equaled Sachin Tendulkar's record of 68 half-centuries in Test matches. Joe Root reached his 68th Test fifty on Day 2 of the match against Pakistan before being out for 66 off 112 balls, with 10 fours to his name.
Joe Root continues to chase Sachin Tendulkar's place in Test history
Root improves his standing for the most centuries as a Test captain, moves up the rankings for the most 50+ scores as a captain, and is closing in on the all-time Test runs record for the format.
Root was able to continue his historic Test batting tour during the fourth day of the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. The home team moved to 205/4 on Thursday, taking a 34-run lead over the visitors, who were all out for 171 in their first innings.
Root and Jordan Cox batted through the second day after the hosts found themselves 112/2, 59 runs behind Pakistan. The pair added a century stand, eventually laying the foundation for England's first innings score.
Cox scored a nifty 73 before falling to Ali Usman, and Root followed him shortly thereafter. Root, at 66 from 112 deliveries, played 10 fours before being dismissed by Usman, who took two wickets in the process. In the end, Brook and Dan Lawrence saw England to 205/4, 34 runs ahead of Pakistan.
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Before the resumption of play on day two, Pakistan were all out for 171 after Joe Root decided to bowl first on the back of the toss. England's seamers got the job done, with both Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue picking up five wickets each.
The pacer took a sensational haul of 5/51 as Pakistan's innings unraveled, with Tongue also picking up 5/46. Shafique top-scored with a well-made 61, but England were too strong for Pakistan. In turn, a second innings score of 205 gave the hosts a 34-run lead over the visitors.
In doing so, Joe Root equaled the record for the most centuries by an England player in their debut Test series. He will also look to equal or better his own tally of Test centuries this year, as well as pass the all-time Test runs record held by Sachin Tendulkar.
This will be the first Test series for Joe Root as England captain, with the skipper set to lead his team to a potential first-innings lead. At the same time, Pakistan will be looking to keep their hopes of a draw alive, after having already fallen behind once in this match.