Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: Joe Root’s masterful double century on the fourth day of the opening Test against Pakistan at the Multan Cricket Stadium showcased his brilliance and resilience.
Resuming on 176, Root took advantage of a missed opportunity early in the day when Pakistan’s Babar Azam dropped a straightforward catch at mid-wicket.
Root was looking to steer England past Pakistan’s formidable first-innings total when, in the fourth over of the day, he played a pull shot off a short-of-length delivery from Naseem Shah.The ball went straight to Babar, positioned at mid-wicket. In what seemed like a routine catch, Babar inexplicably fumbled and dropped the ball, giving Root a life when he was on 186.The miss left Naseem Shah visibly frustrated, as the young pacer stood in disbelief. Babar’s dropped catch proved costly for Pakistan, as Root soon went on to complete his double century off 305 balls – a crucial milestone in England’s innings.
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It was an innings characterized by patience and precision, as Root hit only 14 boundaries to reach the milestone. The milestone placed him alongside legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Younis Khan, all of whom have six Test double centuries to their names.
Root’s celebration was filled with emotion as he kissed the badge on his helmet and raised his bat to the crowd. His innings not only added crucial runs to England’s total but also demonstrated how a single lapse in the field can prove costly in the long format.
Despite Babar’s drop, Root’s composed and clinical approach was the key highlight of the day, securing his place among cricket’s elite double-centurions.
