England Test captain Joe Root equalled Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most fifties in Test cricket during the ongoing first Test against Pakistan at Headingley on Thursday. Root brought up his 68th Test half-century on Day 2 before being dismissed for 66 off 112 deliveries. His innings included 10 boundaries.
England vs Pakistan 1st Test Day 2: UPDATES
With his 68th fifty, Root joined Tendulkar at the top of the list for most 50-plus scores in Test cricket. West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul follows with 66 fifties, while former Australia captain Allan Border and India great Rahul Dravid have 63 each.
Root also moved up the list of most 50-plus scores as captain in Tests, with his 42nd such score putting him fifth in the elite record. Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith leads the chart with 61, followed by Ricky Ponting (54), Border (51) and Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq (43).
Root’s latest milestone adds to his remarkable Test career and further strengthens his position among the format’s leading run-scorers. The England batter is also chasing Tendulkar’s ultimate milestone of the most runs in Test cricket.
The Three Lions strengthened their position against Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley on Thursday, reaching 205/4 in their first innings and taking a 34-run lead.
England had resumed Day 2 at 112/2, still 59 runs behind Pakistan’s first-innings total of 171. Jordan Cox and Joe Root then put together a century partnership to put the hosts firmly in control.
Cox scored 73 before being dismissed by Ali Usman, while Root followed soon after for 66 off 112 deliveries, with 10 fours. Root’s half-century was his 68th in Test cricket, taking him level with Tendulkar for the most fifties in the format.
Root and Cox’s partnership helped England move past Pakistan’s total before both batters departed in quick succession.
Harry Brook and Dan Lawrence were at the crease with England on 205/4, with the hosts holding a 34-run lead.
Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 171 in their first innings after England won the toss and opted to bowl.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue starred with the ball, claiming five wickets apiece. Robinson finished with figures of 5/51, while Tongue returned 5/46 as Pakistan’s batting line-up struggled in the conditions.
Pakistan’s innings received some resistance from Abdullah Shafique, who scored 61, but England’s pace attack kept the pressure on and dismissed the visitors for a modest total.
The Test also marks the return of Joe Root as England’s captain following Ben Stokes’ retirement. Root’s side will now look to build a sizeable first-innings lead and put further pressure on Pakistan.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will need quick wickets to prevent England from establishing a commanding advantage in the first Test of the three-match series.
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