The first Test matches between England and Pakistan in Rawalpindi saw history being made as the visiting English side racked up 506 runs for the loss of fpur wickets on the first day of the match, breaking a 112-year-old record in the process.
England were also playing their first Test match on Pakistan soil in 17 years and the batters took full advantage of the flat pitch on offer after skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat first.
A total of four English batters made their way to entertaining centuries. Middle-order batter Harry Brook was the top-scorer with 153 runs to his name off just 116 deliveries. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were also impressive as they smashed 122 and 107 respectively. Number three batter Ollie Pope also did well to make 108 from 104 deliveries.
The English team smashed 73 fours and three sixes in the 75 overs they batted on the first day until play was called off due to bad light.
The previous best record for most runs scored on the first day of a Test match was 494, scored by Australia against South Africa in Sydney in 1910. England’s previous best for most runs scored on the first day was 471, which they made against India way back in 1936.
This was a terrific result considering the fact that as many as 14 English players were reported to be unwell on the eve of the match. But most of them recovered quickly and the match started on time.
England went on to make 657 runs in their first innings. Pakistan, in response, also made their way to a good total of 579, which includes centuries from openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq and skipper Babar Azam.
England declared their second innings on 264/7 and gave Pakistan a target of 343 to chase. The hosts went ahead to chase it down but lost quick wickets in the process to finally get bowled out for 268. England emerged victorious by 74 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the series. England seamer Ollie Robinson was adjudged as the Player of the Match for picking up five crucial wickets in the game.
