Harry Brook reached the milestone in just 14 innings, joining an elite group of England batters with 1,000-plus Test runs against Pakistan.
-(1).jpeg "Harry Brook")
Harry Brook (Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Brook was unbeaten on 52 off 76 balls, hitting four boundaries, as England closed day one on 156/4 in reply to Pakistan's first-innings total of 133. His knock kept England ahead in what was already a commanding position after their bowlers dismissed Pakistan cheaply, giving England a lead of 23 runs with six wickets in hand.
Across his 14 innings against Pakistan, Brook has accumulated 1,033 runs at an average of 79.46 and a strike rate of 89.20, with four centuries and three fifties. His best score of 317 came in the 2024 Multan Test against Pakistan, a knock that announced him as one of the most destructive batters of his generation against this opposition.
How does Brook's record compare globally?
Among all batters in Test history, only Virender Sehwag and David Warner have reached 1,000 runs against Pakistan in fewer innings, each taking 11. Brook's tally of 14 innings places him alongside Australia's Usman Khawaja, who also reached the milestone in 14 innings, underlining the exceptional company Brook now keeps on the all-time list.Brook is the fourth England batter to cross 1,000 Test runs against Pakistan. Alastair Cook leads the group with 1,719 runs in 20 Tests at an average of 49.11 with five centuries. David Gower scored 1,185 runs in 17 Tests at an average of 49.37 with two centuries. Brook's average of 79.46 is comfortably the highest among the England batters in this group, reflecting the consistency and dominance with which he has approached this particular contest.
How did England's bowlers set up the day one advantage?
Pakistan were bowled out for 133 in their first innings, with Josh Tongue leading the attack by taking 4/42. Ollie Robinson claimed 3/15 and Jofra Archer added 3/25 to complete a disciplined and incisive bowling effort from England that kept Pakistan well below a competitive total on what was the opening day of the series decider.Saud Shakeel was Pakistan's most fluent scorer with 43 off 47 balls, hitting seven fours, while Mohammad Abbas contributed 21 off 36 balls with four boundaries. No other Pakistan batter made a significant contribution as the innings folded inside the day, leaving England's top order with a straightforward platform to build upon.
In England's reply, Emilio Gay top-scored with 60 off 114 balls, striking nine fours, before Brook's unbeaten 52 ensured England closed the day firmly in control. The combination of a disciplined bowling display and a measured batting response leaves England well placed heading into day two at Edgbaston.