England posted a monumental 823 for 7 declared in their first innings of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan on Thursday, marking the highest team total of the century and the fourth-highest in Test cricket history. Harry Brook smashed a remarkable 317, his first triple century, and Joe Root, added a career-best 262 to guide England to a mammoth total in Multan.

Brook’s 317 came at a breathtaking pace, with his triple hundred arriving as the second-fastest in Test history, surpassed only by Virender Sehwag’s blistering 300. Brook became just the sixth English batsman to score over 300 runs in an innings, further etching his name into the record books. His partnership with Root formed the backbone of England’s innings, as they overpowered Pakistan’s bowling attack on a flat Multan pitch.

Root’s composed 262 complemented Brook’s aggressive stroke play, and together they piled on the runs to help England declare with a commanding lead of 267. Pakistan, who had earlier posted an impressive 556, now faces a daunting challenge to save the match.

England’s massive 823 for 7 stands as their highest score against Pakistan, surpassing the previous record of 790/3 set by the West Indies in 1958. This also ranks as England’s highest total under the leadership of coach Brendon McCullum, surpassing the 657 all out they achieved in Rawalpindi during their previous tour of Pakistan. It also eclipses the 592 they tallied against Australia in the 2023 Ashes.

Highest total in Test cricket history

952/6d – SL vs IND, Colombo, 1997
903/7d – ENG vs AUS, The Oval, 1938
849 – ENG vs WI, Kingston, 1930
823/7d – ENG vs PAK, Multan, 2024*
790/3d – WI vs PAK, Kingston, 1958

This total is England’s second-highest in their long Test history, falling short only of their legendary 903-7 declared against Australia at The Oval in 1938. That innings, led by Sir Leonard Hutton’s 364, resulted in one of the most dominant victories in Test history.

England’s performance at Multan joins an elite list of only four teams to have passed 800 in Test cricket. Sri Lanka’s 952/6 declared against India in 1997 still holds the top spot, while England’s performance places them in the company of cricketing giants who have produced similar feats.

With just over four sessions remaining, England will look to their bowlers to force a result on a pitch that has heavily favored the batters thus far. Pakistan, having already toiled through 150 overs in the field, now face an uphill battle to avoid defeat in the first Test of the series.