England batsman Joe Root was unable to get the bat going in the second Test against Pakistan.
In the two innings, the former England captain scored 21 and 8 points, respectively.
However, in the second innings, he accomplished something unprecedented.
Only Root is the second player in the format to achieve the triple feat of 10,000 runs, 50 wickets, and 150 catches.
Why is this story important?
In Test cricket, Jacques Kallis, arguably the best all-rounder, scored 13,289 runs and took 292 wickets.
He had 200 catches and was an excellent fielder.
Root is now the only other player in Tests to score more than 10,000 runs, take 50 wickets, and take 150 catches.
In the Multan Test, Root, who had run 10,000 Tests earlier this year, claimed his 50th victory.
Third player to accomplish this feat Kallis and Steve Waugh are the only two Test cricket players to have achieved the double feat of 10,000+ runs and 50+ wickets. Root achieved his 50th wicket in the format, which earned him a spot in the elite group.
10,000 runs in Test cricket Root became the second Englishman after Alastair Cook (12,474) earlier this year to surpass 10,000 runs in Test cricket.
He is only the 14th batter in the format to reach this point.
The others are Cook, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Mahela Jayawardene, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Sunil Gavaskar, and Younis Khan.
Root had surpassed these legends. In 218 innings, he scored 10,000 Test runs. He beats Cook’s record of 229 Test innings to become the fastest Englishman to 10,000 runs. In this regard, Root also topped Border (235), Chanderpaul (239), and Waugh (244).
Most runs in ICC WTC 2021-23 cycle
Root is the main run-scorer of the continuous ICC World Test Title 2021-23 cycle.
From 21 matches, he has scored 1,915 runs at an average of 54.71.
He has hammered six half-centuries and eight tons.
He has 207 fours, which is the most in the current cycle.
Root’s closest rival in terms of runs is Jonny Bairstow (1,285).
Root Root’s career statistics rank him 12th in Tests, with 10,629 runs scored at an average of 49.66.
In the format, he has 28 centuries and 55 fifties.
Root and Cook share the record for England batters with five double centuries.
Root’s part-time off-spinner has been crucial to England’s success over the years.
Root also has a fifer, with 50 Test wickets.