On the first day of the first Test in Rawalpindi, England decimated Pakistan’s bowling attack, with 23-year-old Harry Brook leading the way. He was one of four England batters who scored centuries in the day’s massive score of 506/4, which they achieved in just 75 overs. Brook finished the day unbeaten on 101 off 81 balls and with a strike rate of a whopping 124.69, making him the fastest of the centurions. 

Three of the centurions had strike rates of over 100 at the end of their innings.

Throughout the day, Pakistan were sprayed with boundaries, and Brook scored 14 fours and two sixes. Amazingly, he scored six of his fours in a single over. The bowler who took the brunt of the assault was debutant Saud Shakeel. Over long-on, Brook first hit the medium pacer’s back with a length delivery. Brook drilled the second ball through covers after Shakeel overdid it. 

He pulled the fourth ball to the boundary as well as hit the third ball directly to the ground. Brook completed the set by hitting the sixth ball through covers, and the fifth ball vanished through covers. Only four batters have done it in Test cricket. In addition, Brook reached his century with a four, completing the feat in just 81 balls. 

It was the third quickest century ever for Britain in Tests, outperforming even Zak Crawley who had taken that mantle only before in the day. In the meantime, England captain Ben Stokes went on the offensive himself to end the day with Brook. 

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Before the umpires gave the Pakistani players a break by ending the day’s play due to poor light, Stokes was on 34 off 15 balls, hitting six fours and one six. The former record of 112 runs scored on the first day of a Test match was broken by England. Additionally, they are the first team to score 500 runs on Day 1 of a Test. When Australia defeated South Africa in 1910, they scored 494/6, breaking the previous record.