WATCH: Joe Root scores a double century against Pakistan in Multan Test, earns spot alongside Virat Kohli in prestigious club

Joe Root extended his remarkable run of form by scoring his sixth Test double century on Day 4 of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan. The England captain reached this milestone in 305 balls, showcasing his dominance over the Pakistani bowlers once again. This double hundred is a significant accomplishment for Root, adding to his previous feat of scoring his first Test century on Pakistani soil.

Joe Root had a stroke of luck on Thursday morning in Multan when Babar Azam dropped him on 186, preventing Naseem Shah from securing an early breakthrough. Seizing the opportunity, Root capitalized on the reprieve and went on to achieve the second major milestone of the Test against Pakistan.

Joe Root’s sixth Test double century saw him surpass Alastair Cook on the list of English batters with the most Test double hundreds. At 33, Root is now just one shy of Walter Hammond’s record of seven double centuries, the highest for an England player in Test cricket.

A commendable effort from Joe Root, who brings up his sixth Test double ton #PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/bKA1Htup8D

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 10, 2024

MOST DOUBLE HUNDREDS FOR ENGLAND

Walter Hammond – 7
Joe Root – 6
Alastair Cook- 5
Leonard Hutton – 4

When Joe Root surpassed the 183-run mark on Day 4, he reached a historic milestone, becoming the first England batter to score 20,000 runs in international cricket. Root is now one of only two active players, alongside Virat Kohli, to achieve this feat across all three formats. He also joined an elite group as the 13th player, and the first since AB de Villiers, to surpass 20,000 international runs.

MOST INTERNATIONAL RUNS (ACTIVE PLAYERS)

Virat Kohli- 27,041 runs in 535 matches
Joe Root – 20,000 runs* in 350 matches

Joe Root has been on a record-breaking spree during a remarkable phase in his Test career. Earlier on Day 3, he surpassed Alastair Cook’s tally of 12,472 runs, becoming England’s all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket. This achievement adds to the impressive run of form that has seen the England star dominate the record books.

Joe Root arrived in Pakistan with a point to prove, having managed just one fifty in three Tests during England’s 2022 tour of the country. However, the former captain made amends this time, scoring a commanding double hundred and leading England’s robust reply to Pakistan’s formidable first-innings total of 556. His innings demonstrated resilience and determination, marking a strong comeback on Pakistani soil.

Root has gone past 1000 runs in a calendar year for the fifth time in his career. The England batter triggered hopes of him going to break Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time Test record of 15,921 runs. England captain Ben Stokes and former captain, Cook,. backed Cook to go past Tendulkar’s Himalayan tally, highlighting his never-ending hunger for scoring big in the longest format of the game.