England legend Nasser Hussain was impressed with a sporting gesture from Pakistan after Joe Root was dismissed for a career-best 262. Root formed a brilliant partnership with Harry Brook to help England pass 700 on a record-breaking day in Multan.
The two players secured 454 runs between them, a new record for England’s highest ever partnership and the fourth-highest in Test history. It finally came to a halt when Root was dismissed by Salman Ali Agha for 262 to end his greatest innings.
As he left the crease, Root was offered a handshake by every Pakistan player with Hussain impressed by the level of respect on display.
“That is really nice to see,” said Hussain, who was on commentary duties for Sky Sports. “Every single Pakistan player has walked up to Joe Root to shake his hand. That is lovely to see.
“One of the great innings played by an Englishman as he walks off the field, a career best beaten against Pakistan. He finally walks off the field to put his feet up. Brilliant from Joe Root. Exhausted, he walks off. 262 in 374 deliveries.”
Brook continued to pile on the runs until he was dismissed for 317, the fifth-highest run total for an England batsman. He was also congratulated by several Pakistan players and received a standing ovation from the travelling supporters on his way off the field.
“He has thrilled us with one of the great innings seen on this ground,” said Hussain as Brook crossed the boundary edge. “Utterly brilliant. A triple hundred. Exhausted but full of joy.
“That was quite brilliant. Skill, technique, fitness and concentration. Utterly brilliant. A triple hundred from Brook has ended on 317 and he can finally put his feet up for a while.”
England went on to become the fourth team in Test history to surpass 800 when Brydon Carse smashed a six on his debut. It was their highest total since 1938, when they racked up 903 runs against Australia at the Oval.
The record-breaking innings came to an end when stand-in captain Ollie Pope waved the batters in on 823-7, giving Pakistan a mountain to climb to salvage any sort of result.
