"It'd be a hell of an achievement" - Joe Root excited ahead of a potential win on Day 5 of 1st ENG vs PAK 2024 Test
England' ace batter Joe Root reckons it will be an achievement of a different level if they can conjure a win over Pakistan in the first Test in Multan. Root said he is confident of England creating three more opportunities on a Day 5 wicket.
England head into the final day of the Test in a pole position to win as Pakistan are 152/6, needing another 115 to make the tourists bat again. After finishing at 492/3 on Day 3, England batted deep on the subsequent day to declare at 823/7.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the 33-year-old acknowledged how hard England worked to get into the position they are. The former captain hailed the bowlers for putting the ball in the right areas, claiming:
"It'd be a hell of an achievement. We worked really hard to get into this position and, tonight, I thought that was equally as phenomenal as the way that we played with the bat. You've got to try and play on that and understand that, as a bowling group, if you hit the right areas and you create those opportunities, then you could really cause some havoc. With another day's wear into the wicket, I'm sure we're going to create some opportunities tomorrow."
Unlike the first innings, Pakistan's top order wilted on day four and found themselves ay 82/6 at one stage. However, Salman Ali Agha and Aamer Jamal dug in until stumps to prevent more damage.
"It was very hot and quite tiring" - Joe Root
Root, who made a marathon 262 in the first innings, added that the conditions were unforgiving, but thinks a potential win will be rewarding. He elaborated:
"It was all about getting a position where we can have a real shot at trying to do something special. It was challenging, obviously it was very hot and quite tiring, but that's part of the fun of it. When you're sore and tired, you just remember what it feels like being on the other end of it, fielding out there. You know that things are in your favour, so you just got to try and make the most of it."
Pakistan's lower order must bat out of their skins on the final day to prevent a defeat.