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  • PAK vs ENG: Milestones Harry Brook reached during his triple century against Pakistan in Multan Test

    PAK vs ENG: Milestones Harry Brook reached during his triple century against Pakistan in Multan Test

    England‘s batting dominance was on full display as they posted a mammoth 823/7 in their first innings of the opening Test against Pakistan at Multan. The docile pitch allowed the batters to thrive, and Harry Brook stole the spotlight with a monumental triple century, alongside Joe Root’s impressive double hundred. Brook’s innings were sensational, as he continued his brilliant run in Pakistan, piling up records and adding his name to the history books. His innings, along with Root’s, formed a massive 454-run partnership that put England firmly in control.

    Harry Brook’s knock: A masterclass in dominance

    Harry Brook, at just 25, delivered an extraordinary knock, reaching his first Test triple century with a composed yet aggressive approach. After coming to the crease with England already in a strong position at 249/3, Brook capitalized on the lifeless Multan pitch. He attacked the Pakistani bowlers with precise timing and power, reaching the 300-run mark with a boundary off Saim Ayub. His fearless stroke play and unwavering concentration allowed him to rack up a career-best 317 runs from 310 balls.

    Brook’s powerful hitting was a nightmare for the Pakistan bowling attack, which looked helpless as he dispatched them all over the ground. His innings included a wide array of shots, from textbook drives to audacious slogs, demonstrating his versatility and temperament. This 317-run effort marked another chapter in Brook’s stunning rise in international cricket, having already made three centuries in Pakistan during England’s 2022 series win. His ability to control the game while maintaining a high strike rate speaks volumes of his potential and his partnership with Joe Root put England in a commanding position, eventually surpassing 800 runs.

    Also READ: PAK vs ENG: Fans erupt as Harry Brook hits a dazzling triple century in the first Test

    Historic feats achieved by Brook during his triple century knock in Multan Test:

    1. Highest Individual Score in Multan

    Brook’s score of 317 set a new benchmark for the highest individual score in Multan Test history, surpassing Virender Sehwag’s famous 309 that he scored in 2004 against Pakistan. Brook’s effort, spread over two days, not only eclipsed Sehwag’s total but also redefined how the Multan pitch could be played on, proving to be a record-shattering performance.

    2. Second-Fastest Triple Century in Test Cricket

    One of the most remarkable aspects of Brook’s knock was the sheer speed with which he got to his triple century. Reaching the 300-mark in just 310 balls, Brook became the second-fastest player to achieve the feat, only behind Sehwag, who had done it in 278 balls against South Africa in 2008. Brook’s aggressive approach, coupled with his clean striking, saw him join an elite list of fast triple centurions in Test cricket, showcasing his ability to dominate opposition bowlers in any condition.

    3. Second-Highest Score by a Foreign Player in Pakistan

    Brook’s mammoth 317-run knock now stands as the second-highest individual score by a foreign player in Pakistan, behind Mark Taylor’s unbeaten 334 that was scored in 1998 in Peshawar. Falling just 17 runs short of Taylor’s record, Brook’s innings will be remembered as one of the finest ever played by an overseas cricketer on Pakistani soil, especially in such testing conditions.

    4. Highest Partnership for the Fourth Wicket for England

    Brook’s partnership with Joe Root was also historic. The duo’s 454-run stand for the fourth wicket is now the highest partnership in England’s Test cricket history. Their combined effort saw England soar past 800 runs, putting the game firmly out of Pakistan’s reach. Brook and Root’s partnership showcased the perfect blend of youth and experience, with both players piling on the runs with authority.

    5. Joint Record for Most Test Hundreds by an Overseas Player in Pakistan

    By reaching his fourth century in Pakistan, Harry Brook also equaled the record for the most Test centuries by a visiting player in Pakistan. His 317-run effort put him on par with Aravinda de Silva and Mohinder Amarnath, both of whom had also scored four centuries in Pakistan. However, Brook’s achievement stands out as he did it in just six innings, the fastest to this milestone, further highlighting his remarkable adaptability to foreign conditions.

    Brook’s innings in Multan will go down as one of the great knocks in Test cricket, with a series of records falling to his name during this historic match. His triple century, partnerships, and dominant play have firmly established him as a future star in international cricket.

    Also READ: List of players with 300+ runs in a single Test innings feat. Harry Brook

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  • PAK v ENG – WATCH: Ben Stokes gets run out bizarrely after mix-up with Harry Brook in Karachi Test

    PAK v ENG – WATCH: Ben Stokes gets run out bizarrely after mix-up with Harry Brook in Karachi Test

    England batter Harry Brook was once again at his best on the second day of the ongoing third Test against Pakistan at National Stadium in Karachi. Brook continued his golden form and notched up his third century of the series as the tourists got to 354 in reply to Pakistan’s 304.

    The team’s total, however, could’ve been different if captain Ben Stokes had not been involved in a bizarre mix-up with Brooks and eventually lost his wicket with a run-out. It all happened during the 33rd over of England’s first innings when Brooks flicked Mohammad Wasim Jr‘s fifth ball towards deep mid-wicket and ran two runs with Stokes.

    As the fielder reached near the ball, the duo tried to fetch an unlikely third run, but Brook stopped midway and turned his back upon seeing the incoming throw towards the non-strikers’ end. By then, Stokes had already sprinted towards the striker’s end. The throw was picked up by Mohammad Wasim as he lashed the bails off the stumps to run-out Stokes.

    Here is the video:

    Brook, meanwhile, is in the form of his life in this series. The right-handed batter has amassed 468 runs in just three matches at a mind-boggling average of 93.60 with three hundreds and one half-century. Brook said he is extremely confident of batting against spin which has been the biggest reason of his success in Pakistan.

    “This pitch is slightly lower than the other pitches. We have had to go about a little bit differently and play it by ear. I’m feeling good at the minute; hopefully, it continues. I have scored a lot of runs in certain areas, and I stick to that. The majority of my batting has been against spin, and I’ve been very confident out here,” said Brooks after the end of the day’s play, as quoted by SkySports.



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  • Rehan Ahmed become England’s youngest Test player with debut against Pakistan

    Rehan Ahmed become England’s youngest Test player with debut against Pakistan

    Teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has become England’s youngest men’s Test cricketer after being handed his debut cap in the last game of the three-match series against Pakistan in Karachi on Saturday (December 17).

    The Leicestershire player is 18 years and 126 days as the final Test begins at the National Stadium, beating the record of Yorkshire’s Brian Close, who was 18 years and 149 days when he took the field for England against New Zealand in Manchester on July 23, 1949.

    Ahmed was one of two changes made by the England team as the visitors are looking at a historic 3-0 series sweep over Pakistan and a ninth Test win in 10 games since Ben Stokes became captain and Brendon McCullum head coach.

    Ahmed has replaced spinner Will Jacks, while wicketkeeper Ben Foakes came in for James Anderson, who was given rest for the dead-rubber.

    England skipper Stokes believe Karachi’s pitch would take more spin than the one used in Multan.

    “We’ve taken a look at the wicket as well, which looks very dry, I personally think it might spin a bit more than it did in the last Test match,” he said.

    England are on their first Test tour of Pakistan since 2005, having long refused to visit the country due to security reasons.

    England’s playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Ben Foakes(w), Rehan Ahmed, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Jack Leach.

    On the other hand, Pakistan have made four changes in their starting XI. Shan Masood has replaced Imam-ul-Haq, who was having some injury concerns in the previous fixture. Nauman Ali, the left-arm orthodox spinner, came in for Mohammad Nawaz, while fast bowler Mohammad Ali sat out for the 21-year-old debutant Mohammad Wasim Jr. On expected lines, right-handed batter Azhar Ali – who announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday – was picked in the team at the expense of leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood.

    Pakistan’s playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Nauman Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed.

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  • Twitter reactions: England edge past Pakistan to win the second Test in Multan

    Twitter reactions: England edge past Pakistan to win the second Test in Multan

    Mark Wood grabbed four Pakistan wickets to hand England a series-clinching 26-run victory in the second Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

    The fast bowler finished with 4-65 as Pakistan were bundled out for 328 in the post-lunch session on Day 4, having been given a challenging target of 355.

    Wood, who missed the first Test in Rawalpindi due to a hip injury, turned the match in England’s favour with the wickets of well-settled Mohammad Nawaz (45) and Saud Shakeel (94) in the space of just 12 balls.

    Pakistan went down to 291-7 at lunch, and after the break, Agha Salman (20 not out) and Abrar Ahmed (17) tried their best to pull off an unlikely win for their side and keep the series alive. But James Anderson dismissed Ahmed, Wood cleaned up Zahid Mahmood (0) and Ollie Robinson picked up the wicket of number eleven Mohammad Ali (0), sparking celebrations in the Three Lions camp.

    “We had a look at the wicket and it was tricky against slow bowling, but as the game progressed the cracks opened up and our seamers came into the game,” said the winning captain Ben Stokes in the post-match presentation.

    “The way in which Jimmy and Robbo bowled in the series and our spinners as well, they are going to deliver more often that not [referring to himself not bowling in the second Test].”

    Here’s how Twitter reacted:



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  • WATCH: Harry Brook hits Saud Shakeel for six consecutive fours in an over in Rawalpindi Test

    WATCH: Harry Brook hits Saud Shakeel for six consecutive fours in an over in Rawalpindi Test

    At a batting-friendly track at Pindi Cricket Stadium, England batters made full use of the surface and piled up a mountain of runs on the opening day of the ongoing first Test against Pakistan. As many as four English batters smashed centuries as the tourists managed to post 506/4 at stumps, shattering many records.

    England openers Zak Crawley (122) and Ben Duckett (107) hit respective tons before Ollie Pope and Harry Brook joined the party. Brook, in particular, was at the forefront of the demolition job. Three of the centurions had strike rates of over 100, and Brook was the fastest of them all. The right-handed batter finished the day with an unbeaten 101 off 81 balls at a strike rate of a whopping 124.69.

    Brook smashed 14 fours and two sixes during his whirlwind knock. Interestingly, six of his fours came in a single over when he took debutant Saud Shakeel to the cleaners.

    Here is how the over went:

    • 67.1: Shakeel to Brook, four runs, a short delivery pulled over mid-wicket.
    • 67.2: Shakeel to Brook, four runs, a low full-toss, and the batsman drove it to the extra cover boundary.
    • 67.3: Shakeel to Brook, four runs, a half-volley, and Brook smashed it down the ground.
    • 67.4: Shakeel to Brook, four runs, another half-tracker at the stumps, and the batter pulled away towards the cow-corner.
    • 67.5: Shakeel to Brook, four runs, a short ball with a width and Brook guided it through extra covers.
    • 67.6: Shakeel to Brook, four runs, sixth successive boundary. Yet another dragged-down delivery and Brook hit it over the deep mid-wicket.

    Here is the video:

    “I enjoyed every minute out there, we were just trying to build a partnership, put the bowlers under pressure, and score runs every ball. They were all bad balls, so I tried to put them all, really. I was probably happier with that than my 100, to be honest,” said Brook after the end of the day’s play, as quoted by SkySports.



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  • Uncapped leg-spinner added to England Test squad for the tour of Pakistan

    Uncapped leg-spinner added to England Test squad for the tour of Pakistan

    Before winning the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the England team toured Pakistan for a seven-match T20I series which they won by a margin of 4-3, and now it’s time for the Three Lions to pull out their white flannels.

    On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced an 18-man Test squad that will take on Ben Stokes and his troops, the mighty English side with head coach Baz McCullum at the helm of the red ball format.

    For the series that is to be contested shortly, England had named their 15-member squad in the second week of October. And today, they have added an uncapped 18-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed to their star-studded line up.

    Rehan, who has been with Stokes & Co. in their red-ball training camp in the UAE and is currently playing in the three-day warm-up fixture against the England Test squad in Abu Dhabi, impressed coaches with his attitude and genuine potential to be given a maiden call up for the senior side.

    “Ben, myself and the rest of the coaches like how he approaches his game,” McCullum said about Rehan’s selection.

    “The experience of being part of the squad in Pakistan will be hugely beneficial for him, and he will add to the make-up of our squad,” Baz added.

    If included in the starting XI during the three-match Test series – the first time England will play in Pakistan after 17 years – Rehan will become the youngest cricketer to play a Test match for England Men’s team, surpassing Brian Close, who represented the Three Lions at 18 years 149 days against New Zealand in July 1949.

    The series will begin with the first Test in Rawalpindi on December 1 followed by the next two games in Multan and Karachi.

    England’s Test squad for Pakistan tour:

    Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes (wk), Will Jacks, Keaton Jennings, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Rehan Ahmed.

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