Joe Root's double ton against Pakistan puts him alongside Sachin Tendulkar, Javed Miandad and Virender Sehwag in elite club

NEW DELHI: Joe Root was at his majestic best on a sunny Thursday morning at the packed Multan Cricket Stadium. Root hammered a brilliant double century against Pakistan on the fourth day of the opening Test.Resuming on 176, Root reached his double century off 305 balls, showcasing remarkable calmness and composure. His innings featured just 14 boundaries, a testament to his patient approach.This marked Root’s sixth double century in Test cricket, surpassing legends like Rahul Dravid, Alastair Cook, and Graeme Smith, who each scored five double centuries in their illustrious careers.By reaching six double centuries, Root now joins an elite group that includes Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Ricky Ponting, Marvan Atapattu, Kane Williamson, Javed Miandad, and Younis Khan.Root, smiling, removed his helmet, kissed the badge, and raised his bat to celebrate this remarkable achievement.Root's double century is the first by an England batsman in Pakistan since Ted Dexter's 205 in Karachi back in 1962.With this knock, Root becomes the first England batter to score two double hundreds against Pakistan. Previously, Denis Compton, Ted Dexter, Alastair Cook, and Zak Crawley each recorded one double century against Pakistan.Root's double centuries in Tests:200* vs Pakistan, Multan in 2024 228 vs Sri Lanka, Galle in 2021 218 vs India, Chennai in 2021 226 vs New Zealand, Hamilton in 2019 254 vs Pakistan, Manchester in 2016 200* vs Sri Lanka, Lord's in 2014 Most double hundreds for England7 - Wally Hammond6 - Joe Root*5 - Alastair Cook4 - Leonard Hutton3 - Kevin Pietersen