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Joe Root (262) and Harry Brook (317) combined to put on a record 454 to help tourists England get into a position of complete and utter dominance. After being asked to field, Ollie Pope’s England conceded a 565-run lead.

On this pitch, a score of that amount seemed okay, but maybe slightly below par. With Pope departing early in the first innings, it became advantageous for Pakistan. The usual opener, Ben Duckett, didn’t appear to show any major concerns about his thumb injury, as he made 84 from just 75 balls.

Zak Crawley, who has an excellent record against Pakistan, made 78 from just 85 balls.

With the scorecard at 249-3, there was a slight opening for the home side, but Root, who also became England’s highest run scorer in this format (test), and Brooks, who impresses whenever he puts on a test jersey, put the home side to the sword.

Shaan Masood’s Pakistan said they were run ragged as Masood used seven bowlers. Ayub, Saud Shakeel, and Salman Ali Agha tried, but it was largely in vain to take the pressure off the four main bowlers.

Jamie Smith’s 31 off 24 balls rubbed even more salt into Pakistan’s wounds. England eventually showed mercy, but only when they scored 823-7 declared, which came off just 150 overs.

Harry Brooks’ triple century, off just 310 balls, made him the sixth man to achieve the feat. Graham Gooch, your record is safe for now. Ollie Pope’s England built up a mammoth 266-run lead at that time. That’s what Pakistan needs solely to ensure England bats again.

But as only they can do, the home side, Pakistan, after scoring 500+ in the first innings, are 49-4. O and Yes Babar Azam, Shaan, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique are all out.

Bar a miracle of a monsoon, Shaan Masood is looking at a straight 11th defeat as captain. In this format, it would be the first time in 147 years for a team to lose, having scored 550+ in the first innings. There is tomorrow, but will they even get there? I give my report from the perspective of the time of writing.

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