Pakistan vs England: Joe Root goes past Alastair Cook's run tally

Joe Root has etched his name into the annals of English cricket by surpassing former captain Alastair Cook's record for the highest runs scored in Test matches. Achieving this milestone on Day 3 of the first Test against Pakistan, Root reached the landmark with a score of 71. Cook, who retired as England's highest Test run-scorer, accumulated a remarkable 12,472 runs over the course of 161 matches. Root's journey to the top of this prestigious list took 147 matches, allowing him to claim the first spot in England’s batting hierarchy and solidifying his position as the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test history. He now trails only former Indian stalwart Rahul Dravid, who sits at 13,288 runs.

Following Root's accomplishment, star all-rounder Ben Stokes praised his teammate, describing him as "selfless" and underscoring the difficulty of breaking such a significant record. Stokes highlighted Root's dedication to the game and his contributions to the team's success, noting that Root's achievements not only reflect his individual talent but also his commitment to English cricket.

“Yeah, I played a lot of my cricket with Joe for England, and played a lot of cricket against someone…we grew up together. To score that many runs, you'd think that they'd have to be a little bit selfishness about the player, but everything that he does when he's got his battles, the Ham is all about team. I remember a couple of years ago when he was getting stuck left, right, and centre for not converting his 50s and 100s, but he was averaging over 50. I just couldn't get my head around it,” said Ben Stokes while speaking to ECB.

Joe Root has been in sensational form recently, showcasing his batting prowess with twin centuries in the Lord's Test against Sri Lanka last August. Prior to the Pakistan tour, he had already amassed an impressive total of 34 Test centuries, further highlighting his status as one of the leading batsmen in the game today. Ben Stokes, the star all-rounder, praised Root's remarkable achievements, emphasizing that his focus has always been on the team rather than individual accolades. Stokes pointed out that Root's milestones not only elevate his personal career but also significantly benefit the team's overall performance. He believes these achievements serve as a bonus, contributing to the collective success of the squad.

Root's commitment to prioritizing team goals over personal glory exemplifies his leadership and selflessness as a player. His recent performances underscore his ability to deliver under pressure and his role as a vital cog in the English batting lineup. As he continues to build on his already impressive record, Root remains a key figure in the team's strategy and aspirations for success. With his consistent run-scoring ability and dedication, he not only inspires his teammates but also sets a benchmark for future generations of cricketers. Root's journey through the cricketing landscape serves as a testament to hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering team spirit.

“But then, from my point of view, when I looked at how many hundreds Joe scored, and we've won games, or he's seen us over the line with his hundreds, you know, first, he needs 100s, and then that's what I look at. There's the amount of times that he's won a stick. The selflessness that he has is an incredible attribute for him. He always puts the team first and the fact that he has got so many runs is just a bonus for us. He's an incredible player, it's going to take a long, long time for someone to come in and break that record,” Stokes added.