Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Joe Root Matches Tendulkar’s Test Fifty Record at Headingley
Joe Root played for England against Pakistan in a Test match at Headingley.
He scored 66 runs and hit 10 boundaries.
Before he was dismissed, he scored his 68th Test fifty.
That means he matched Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most Test half-centuries.
Root also reached 42 scores of at least 50 as England’s captain.
England were in a strong position after Pakistan were dismissed for 171, according to one report.
England’s team reached 366 runs for eight wickets at the end of Day 2 in that account.
Root has 14,180 Test runs and is 1,741 runs behind Tendulkar’s total.
The reports differ on whether Root had played 163 or 167 Tests when he reached the milestone.
Joe Root equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 68 Test fifties against Pakistan at Headingley.
Root scored 66 from 112 balls, hitting 10 boundaries before being dismissed.
He reached 42 scores of 50 or more as a Test captain, ranking fifth overall.
Root returned as England captain for the first time since Ben Stokes retired from Test cricket.
England reached 366/8 after Pakistan were dismissed for 171, according to one report, while Root moved within 1,741 runs of Tendulkar’s Test-run record.
- Who
- Joe Root, England’s captain, and Pakistan; Root matched Sachin Tendulkar’s Test-fifty record.
- What
- Root scored 66 and reached his 68th Test fifty during the first Test.
- When
- Day 2; two reports identify the day as Thursday, while another identifies it as Friday.
- Where
- Headingley in Leeds, England.
- Why
- Root’s innings helped England build a strong position and pursue a substantial first-innings lead over Pakistan.
England’s Position
Pakistan’s Position
Match strategy
England’s Position
England are trying to extend their first-innings advantage and place sustained pressure on Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Position
Pakistan need wickets quickly to prevent England from securing a decisive lead.
Root’s impact
England’s Position
Root’s 66 and his record-equalling fifty contributed to England’s strong position and added to his captaincy milestones.
Pakistan’s Position
Pakistan dismissed Root through Khurram Shahzad and must continue taking wickets to limit England’s total.
- Record matched
- Root equalled Tendulkar’s record of 68 Test fifties.
- Root’s innings
- 66 runs from 112 deliveries, including 10 boundaries.
- Captaincy milestone
- Root recorded his 42nd score of 50 or more as a Test captain, placing fifth on that list.
- Test runs
- Root has 14,180 Test runs, compared with Tendulkar’s 15,921.
- Distance from record
- Root is 1,741 runs short of Tendulkar’s all-time Test-run total.
- Match position
- One report said Pakistan were dismissed for 171 and England reached 366/8 at stumps on Day 2.
- Series context
- The match is the opening Test of a three-Test series between England and Pakistan.
