Harry Brook (Photo Source: Getty Images)
The ongoing first Test between Pakistan and England in Multan saw middle-order batter, Harry Brook, register his sixth century in the format, as his unbroken 243-run stand with Joe Root took England just 64 runs away from Pakistan’s first innings total. Brook, who ended the day on 141*, overtook former Indian luminaries, Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid, in terms of the number of Test centuries (3) in Pakistan.
Coming in just his sixth innings in Pakistan, Brook’s fourth century in the country has positioned him in the prestigious cohort comprising Mohinder Amarnath and Aravinda de Silva, who also have four tons in the South Asian nation. However, the two took 18 and 17 innings, respectively, to achieve the feat.
Much like England’s previous tour of Pakistan, the Yorkshire-born cricketer has not been disappointed with the bat up until now. His 141*-run knock has comprised 12 fours and a solitary maximum, taking only 173 deliveries to score them. The previous tour saw Brook being the leading run-getter for his side with 468 runs in five innings. With the form he is in, Brook looks set to better his numbers in Pakistan during the ongoing series.
England on top after Day 3
Resuming the game with a score of 96/1 on Day 3, Pakistan did not take a lot of time to get their first breakthrough of the day. Zak Crawley, who was looking well-established in the middle, flicked off to midwicket in what he would term as a gift of a wicket he granted the hosts.
Ben Duckett joined Root in the middle. He added a refreshing counter-attacking punch to the innings. Much like Crawley, he was also primed to get to his ton. However, he was dismissed for a quickfire 84 off 75 after being pinned in front by Aamer Jamal.
Duckett’s dismissal brought Brook to the middle, and the rest is history. England would look to earn a healthy lead and declare by the end of the second session on Day 4 to give them a fair chance of bowling the hosts out in their second innings.