Joe Root passes Sir Alastair Cook as England's record Test run-scorer

Joe Root has overhauled Sir Alastair Cook as England’s record run-scorer in Test cricket, passing his former captain’s mark of 12,472 on day three of the series opener against Pakistan.

Root arrived in the country needing 71 to take top spot and got there in his first innings, seizing a crown he has long been destined for in typically assured fashion on the third morning in Multan.

The 33-year-old assumed the mantle with a check drive for four off Aamer Jamal, moving fifth on the all-time list in his 147th Test appearance - 14 fewer than Cook managed before his retirement in 2018.

The moment was marked in low-key fashion, unnoticed by the local fans and toasted by nothing more extravagant that a touch of gloves with batting partner Ben Duckett and a pat on the shoulder.

It was a typically assured innings from the Yorkshireman and sorely needed after he came to the crease with England 1-4 in reply to Pakistan’s bumper score of 556.

Their position looked considerably healthier as they went into the lunch interval on 2-232, Root unbeaten on 72, Duckett racing along to 80 not out in just 67 balls and Zak Crawley back in the pavilion for 78.

There is plenty still to do for England to shore up their position fully but, regardless of how the game pans out, Root’s efforts will stand the test of time.

In August he bested another of Cook’s proudest achievements, levelling then overtaking his record of 33 Test centuries with back-to-back hundreds against Sri Lanka at Lord’s.

At the time, Cook told BBC’s Test Match Special: “He is quite simply England’s greatest, and it’s absolutely right that he should have this record, on his own. He’s just the final one to tick off...”

That has now happened, placing Root below only Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar - all of whom he will fancy overtaking.