Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: Star batter Harry Brook had a stroke of incredible luck during England’s first Test against Pakistan in Multan on Wednesday.
In a moment that has left the spectators in awe, Pakistan’s Aamer Jamal bowled a delivery at Brook during the 75th over, only for the ball to roll back onto his stumps without dislodging the bails.
Jamal’s back-of-a-length delivery outside off stump nipped back in as Brook attempted a late stab at it.The ball, deflecting off his body, trickled back toward the stumps, but despite hitting them, the bails remained stubbornly in place.
Brook had escaped what could have been a game-changing dismissal.
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This moment of fortune for Brook came in stark contrast to the stellar performance of his teammate Joe Root, who stole the show with a majestic hundred.
On a historic day, Root broke Alastair Cook’s record to become England’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket.
His masterclass innings of 119 not out helped steer England to 351/3 at tea on day three.
Root’s day was filled with milestones. Early in his innings, a straight drive off Jamal saw him surpass Cook’s total of 12,472 runs, a record that had stood since Cook’s retirement in 2018.
Root was imperious throughout, reverse-sweeping his way to a 35th Test century, placing him among the top six century-makers in the game.
While Brook survived by a whisker, he also played his part in England’s dominance.
Unfazed by the near miss, he went on to register a gritty half-century, ending the session unbeaten on 64. Together with Root, the pair put on a 102-run stand, frustrating the Pakistani camp on a flat Multan surface that offered little assistance to the bowlers.
