England’s historic victory in the first Test against Pakistan has set a new record, making them the first team to win a Test match by an innings after conceding over 500 runs in the first innings. The match saw a remarkable turnaround for England after Pakistan scored 556 runs in their first innings.
In a match filled with standout performances and milestones, England’s win has been highlighted by some key statistics. Notably, England’s response of 823 for seven declared in their first innings gave them a combined aggregate of 1,379 runs, making it the third-highest total in Test history. This victory marks the third time under coach Brendon McCullum that England has conceded 550 or more runs in an innings and emerged victorious.
This win adds to England’s strong performance in Test cricket throughout 2024. They have won six out of seven Tests this year, including series wins against the West Indies and Sri Lanka. The team’s captain, Joe Root, has been in exceptional form, scoring 1,248 runs at an average of 65.68 with five centuries and four half-centuries.
On the other hand, Pakistan continues to struggle, suffering their sixth consecutive Test defeat. Captain Shan Masood is yet to secure a positive result in his tenure, with Pakistan enduring an 11-match winless streak at home since their last victory over South Africa in early 2021.
The match also witnessed significant individual performances, with Joe Root achieving his highest Test score of 262 and becoming England’s all-time leading run-scorer. He also shared a record partnership of 454 runs with Harry Brook, who scored his maiden Test triple-century, the sixth in England’s history.
As England savours their historic victory, Pakistan will be looking to regroup and bounce back as they aim to end their losing streak at the same Multan venue in their upcoming matches. This serves as a stark reminder of the ebbs and flows of Test cricket and the unpredictability that keeps fans on their toes.