Harry Brook became the first England batter for 34 years to hit a triple-century in Test cricket on an astonishing fourth day against Pakistan in Multan.
Brook, Joe Root and England broke a host of records, then the visiting pace bowlers were irresistible in charging to what looks like certain victory in the first Test.
Brook’s 317 is the sixth score in excess of 300 by an England man and his partnership of 454 with Root, who made 262, was the fourth-highest for any wicket in the history of the game.
A total of 823-7 declared is also the fourth-highest ever and England’s largest since 1938.
It meant England took a lead of 267, a barely believable advantage considering Pakistan posted 556 in their first innings.
Despite the avalanche of runs on the flat pitch, Chris Woakes knocked out the off stump of Abdullah Shafique with the first ball of Pakistan’s second innings.
England were rampant, Pakistan feeble. The hosts disintegrated after tea, spiralling towards a humiliating defeat on 152-6, still 115 short of making England bat again.
Never before has a team posted so many runs in the first innings of a Test, then gone on to lose by an innings.
England, who secured a historic 3-0 victory in Pakistan two years ago, will add another memorable win at some point on Friday.
