Joe Root, after surpassing Sir Alastair Cook to become England’s highest Test run-scorer, stated that he still has "many more runs to score." Root overtook Cook's record of 12,472 runs when he reached 71 on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan.
The 33-year-old didn’t stop there, going on to score his 35th Test century and finishing the day unbeaten on 176, bringing England to 492-3, just 64 runs behind Pakistan's first-innings total.
Expressing his feelings, Root admitted he was proud of the milestone but felt there was still more to achieve. His determined batting performance, coupled with Harry Brook's unbeaten 141, placed England in a strong position despite Pakistan’s imposing 556 in their first innings.
Root reflected on the day, acknowledging that England’s comeback was a collective effort. He remarked that while he would reflect on the achievement later, what stood out to him was the team's performance, which left them in a promising position to win. "We still have a chance to win the match, and that’s really exciting," he noted, expressing hope for continued success on the following day.
In his 147th Test, 12 years after his debut in India, Root’s achievement also placed him fifth on the list of all-time Test run-scorers globally, behind legends Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting, and Sachin Tendulkar. While Tendulkar's 15,921 runs seem far off, Cook believes Root has the potential to surpass the record, noting that despite being older than Cook was at retirement, Root shows no signs of slowing down.
Cook praised Root’s relentless drive and predicted that he could continue dominating the game for years to come. He did, however, mention the Ashes series in Australia in 2025-26 as a potential challenge for Root. Despite having toured Australia three times and twice as captain, Root has yet to claim a victory in the 14 Tests he has played there or reach a century on Australian soil.
Cook pointed out the unique intensity surrounding the Ashes series, recalling Root’s first tour as part of the team that was defeated 5-0 in 2013-14 under Cook’s captaincy. He highlighted that the upcoming Ashes could present an obstacle but believes Root has the resilience to overcome it.
For now, Root is focused on securing another memorable win in Pakistan, following England’s historic 3-0 series victory two years ago. England looks set to continue batting into day four, aiming for a significant lead while allowing enough time to bowl Pakistan out again on a flat pitch.
Root emphasised the importance of continuing their strong start, acknowledging that much cricket was still to be played. He expressed optimism, stating that the team would remain focused on making the most of their excellent position, as the game could shift quickly toward the end.