Test cricket returned to the sun-soaked city of Multan with a bang, as England and Pakistan locked horns in the opening match of a much-anticipated series. The Multan Cricket Stadium, steeped in history and known for its turning tracks, was witness to a modern-day batting epic — one that will long be remembered for Harry Brook’s jaw-dropping triple century and England’s record-breaking run-fest.
On a pitch that looked benign but had hidden tricks for those who dared to explore, England batted with intent, flair, and domination, piling up an eye-watering 823/7 declared — the highest Test total ever recorded on Pakistani soil. Pakistan fought valiantly in response, notching up over 550 themselves, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the follow-on. With spin and seam tightening the noose in the second innings, England stormed to a sensational innings victory.
This was Test cricket at its most brutal and beautiful — a perfect cocktail of skill, resolve, and strategy. And at the heart of it stood Harry Brook, carving his name into the annals of cricketing folklore with a majestic 317 that led England to a commanding 1-0 lead in the series.
A Historic Domination in Multan: England Stun Pakistan with a Monumental Victory
The first Test between Pakistan and England in Multan unfolded as one of the most extraordinary matches in modern Test history. A batting onslaught of epic proportions from England, led by Harry Brook’s sensational triple century, paved the way for an innings victory, despite Pakistan scoring over 550 in their first innings.
From the moment England won the toss and chose to bat, it was clear they were intent on setting the tone for the series. What followed was a ruthless display of attacking yet disciplined Test batting that left Pakistan reeling.
England 1st Innings – 823/7 Declared
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Zak Crawley | c Aamer Jamal b Shaheen Afridi | 78 | 85 | 13 | 0 | 91.76 |
| Ollie Pope (c) | c Aamer Jamal b Naseem Shah | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Joe Root | lbw b Agha Salman | 262 | 375 | 17 | 0 | 69.87 |
| Ben Duckett | lbw b Aamer Jamal | 84 | 75 | 11 | 0 | 112.00 |
| Harry Brook | c Masood b Saim Ayub | 317 | 322 | 29 | 3 | 98.45 |
| Jamie Smith (wk) | c Aamer Jamal b Naseem Shah | 31 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 129.17 |
| Chris Woakes | not out | 17 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 106.25 |
| Gus Atkinson | c Babar Azam b Saim Ayub | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Brydon Carse | not out | 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 150.00 |
| Extras | (b 8, lb 5, w 3, nb 7) | 23 | ||||
| Total | 823/7 decl. (150 overs) | RR: 5.49 |
Brook and Root Rewrite the Record Books
After the early loss of Ollie Pope for a duck, it was Joe Root and Harry Brook who constructed a partnership for the ages. Root played with classical finesse, timing the ball exquisitely and manipulating the field with masterful ease. His 262 was a reminder of his enduring class, particularly in subcontinental conditions.
At the other end, Harry Brook unleashed a modern-day masterpiece. The Yorkshireman combined composure and aggression in a stunning knock of 317 off just 322 balls. His control, shot selection, and clean striking made for an unforgettable innings that tore apart the Pakistani bowling attack. He dispatched anything short with ease and was ruthless against spin, neutralizing Abrar Ahmed and Agha Salman with footwork and precision.
Brook and Root shared a mammoth stand that broke several records — including England’s highest partnership for any wicket in Pakistan.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett provided explosive starts, with Duckett’s 84 coming off just 75 balls. Jamie Smith’s quick cameo ensured the scoring rate never dipped. England eventually declared at a colossal 823 for 7, the highest Test total ever recorded on Pakistani soil.
Pakistan 1st Innings – 556 All Out
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Abdullah Shafique | c Ollie Pope b Gus Atkinson | 102 | 184 | 10 | 2 | 55.43 |
| Saim Ayub | c Jamie Smith b Gus Atkinson | 4 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Shan Masood (c) | c & b Jack Leach | 151 | 177 | 13 | 2 | 85.31 |
| Babar Azam | lbw b Chris Woakes | 30 | 71 | 5 | 0 | 42.25 |
| Saud Shakeel | c Root b Shoaib Bashir | 82 | 177 | 8 | 0 | 46.33 |
| Naseem Shah | c Brook b Carse | 33 | 81 | 1 | 3 | 40.74 |
| Mohammad Rizwan (wk) | c Woakes b Leach | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Agha Salman | not out | 104 | 119 | 10 | 3 | 87.39 |
| Aamer Jamal | lbw b Carse | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 70.00 |
| Shaheen Afridi | b Leach | 26 | 49 | 2 | 1 | 53.06 |
| Abrar Ahmed | c Duckett b Root | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 37.50 |
| Extras | (b 1, lb 4, w 5, nb 4) | 14 | ||||
| Total | 556 all out (149 overs) | RR: 3.73 |
Pakistan Fight Back But Still Trail
Faced with a daunting total, Pakistan’s top order responded with admirable grit. Captain Shan Masood led from the front with a fluent and determined 151. His innings was the backbone of Pakistan’s resistance, full of crisp drives and confident strokeplay.
Abdullah Shafique provided strong support, scoring a patient century. Together, they added over 200 runs and helped Pakistan recover after early pressure. Saud Shakeel’s dogged 82 and Agha Salman’s enterprising unbeaten century added depth to the innings, but England’s bowling tightened as the innings wore on.
Gus Atkinson impressed with the new ball, while Jack Leach and Brydon Carse struck crucial blows. Despite their fightback, Pakistan still trailed by 267 runs — a gap that would prove insurmountable.
Pakistan 2nd Innings – 220 All Out
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Abdullah Shafique | b Woakes | 12 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 41.37 |
| Saim Ayub | c Smith b Atkinson | 5 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 38.46 |
| Shan Masood (c) | lbw b Leach | 9 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 42.85 |
| Babar Azam | c Duckett b Leach | 23 | 45 | 3 | 0 | 51.11 |
| Saud Shakeel | b Bashir | 17 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 60.71 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | c Pope b Woakes | 20 | 30 | 2 | 1 | 66.66 |
| Agha Salman | b Leach | 63 | 99 | 7 | 0 | 63.63 |
| Aamer Jamal | not out | 55 | 70 | 6 | 1 | 78.57 |
| Shaheen Afridi | lbw b Carse | 6 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 42.85 |
| Naseem Shah | c Root b Leach | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Abrar Ahmed | b Atkinson | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16.66 |
| Extras | 9 | |||||
| Total | 220 all out (69.3 overs) | RR: 3.16 |
Leach Spins England to a Famous Victory
With a massive first-innings deficit and a wearing pitch, Pakistan were under immense pressure heading into their second innings. England’s bowlers, led by Jack Leach, smelled blood. The left-arm spinner used the rough outside off to devastating effect, claiming 4 for 30 and never letting Pakistan settle.
Pakistan’s top order crumbled. Agha Salman again stood tall with a valiant 63, and Aamer Jamal fought bravely for an unbeaten 55, but the rest of the batting lineup collapsed under sustained pressure. Shoaib Bashir and Chris Woakes chipped in with key wickets to seal the deal.
Summary: A Statement Win for England
England’s victory by an innings and 47 runs was not just comprehensive — it was historic. Scoring over 800 in the first innings, dismissing a side for over 550 and still enforcing the follow-on is an extreme rarity in Test cricket.
