Joe Root has overtaken Sir Alastair Cook as England’s leading Test match run-scorer of all time.

The 33-year-old moved past Cook’s haul of 12,472 during day three of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan with a boundary to reach 71 having begun the morning 38 runs behind his former team-mate’s tally.

Root went on to complete the 35th Test century of his career before ending the day unbeaten on 176.

“I’m tired, more than anything. It’s been a long day,” Root said at England’s team hotel having been unable to speak to the media at the close due to exhaustion and dehydration.

“Obviously, proud but still feel there’s plenty more left to do and many more runs to get. I’m sure I’ll look back at it at some point when I’m finished and be very proud of it.”

Root eclipsed Cook’s record of 33 Test centuries for England this summer when he scored two hundreds against Sri Lanka at Lord’s.

The Yorkshireman is now the fifth-highest run-scorer in all Test cricket, behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921), Ricky Ponting (13,378), Jacques Kallis (13,289) and Rahul Dravid (13,288).

Root made his Test debut against India in Nagpur in December 2012, scoring 73 in his first innings batting in the No 6 position.

He notched the first of what are now 35 Test tons against New Zealand at Headingley the following May and his first double century versus Sri Lanka at Lord’s in June 2014.

Root’s highest Test match score is the 254 he struck against Pakistan at Emirates Old Trafford in July 2016, one of five times he has reached 200 in the format.

“I was so thrilled that he got it with a classic Root-like shot,” said Sky Sports Cricket’s Michael Atherton.

“If you think in your mind’s eye of the best of Root you are thinking back-foot punch, maybe a run down to third man but the way he plays those drives down the ground.

“It was a gorgeous shot to get there. What a lovely moment.

“Twelve years of excellence. That is exactly what it has been.

“I was there in Nagpur, I thought, ‘this is going to be one of our greats’, but you still have to do it.

“You have to turn potential into performance and it is hard to think of a time when his form has dropped off.

“He has been so consistent over the years and he has done it in a way which is so pleasing.

“He is an absolute champion. He is one of our best players if not the best player we have had.”

Nasser: There was an air of inevitability Root would get to this moment

“I can hardly remember a time that Root has got ugly runs,” added Nasser Hussain.

“There has been times when he has had to dig deep, there is time when he has come under pressure as captain.

“He has come in at 20-2 and had to grind and work hard.

“There was an air of inevitability turning up today.

“You just knew when he needed 71, on this surface, with his ability, with his love of batting, he was going to do it today.

“Throughout those 12 years he has played with a smile on his face which is not easy.

“Captaincy has got him down, but not batting.

“He is a thoroughly, thoroughly decent guy and a great ambassador for this game.”

Stokes: Root’s selflessness sets him apart

England Test captain Ben Stokes also paid tribute to his long-time teammate, crediting his inability to be selfish as his biggest gift for the team.

“The amount of times he has won us the game off the bat…” said Stokes.

“Never mind the conversion rate, because converting these 50s into 100s doesn’t necessarily mean you are going to win the game.

“But the selflessness that he has is an incredible attribute for him.

“He always puts the team first and the fact that he has got so many runs is just a bonus for us.

“He is an incredible player. It is going to take a long, long time for someone to come in and break that record.

“Just a great bloke and an unbelievable feat to score that many runs.

“But, the non-selfishness that he possesses is one thing I think that sets him above or sets him apart from anybody else.”

Watch day four of the first Test between Pakistan and England in Multan, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 5.50am on Thursday, ahead of play starting from 6am. Stream with NOW

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