England captain Joe Root further strengthened his reputation as one of Test cricket’s most prolific batters on Thursday. He equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most half-centuries in Test history during the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley.

Root reached his 68th Test fifty on the second day of the match. The milestone put him level with the Indian great at the top of the all-time list. Root could not convert the achievement into a century, however, as he fell for 66 off 112 balls.

He struck 10 boundaries during a composed innings. His contribution also helped England build a commanding lead after Pakistan were dismissed for 171.

Root Joins Tendulkar at the Top

Root now has 68 Test half-centuries, matching Tendulkar’s tally.

Former West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul follows in third place with 66 fifties. Australia’s Allan Border and India’s Rahul Dravid share fourth place with 63 each.

The latest landmark adds to Root’s remarkable Test career. His consistency has remained one of England’s biggest strengths, even when he fails to turn a fifty into a century.

Root also moved closer to the top of another significant Test batting list involving captains.

His 66 at Headingley was his 42nd score of 50 or more as England captain. That moved him into fifth place on the all-time list.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith leads with 61 such scores. Australia’s Ricky Ponting has 54, while Allan Border has 51. Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq sits fourth with 43.

Root now needs only two more scores of 50 or more as captain to draw level with Misbah.

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England Build Commanding Lead

England began the second day on 112 for two. They were still 59 runs behind Pakistan’s first-innings total of 171.

The hosts finished the day on 366 for eight. They therefore secured a 195-run first-innings lead and put themselves firmly in control of the Test.

Debutant Jordan Cox played a key role in England’s surge. He produced a confident 73 and formed a century partnership with Root.

Cox eventually fell to Ali Usman after making an impressive contribution on debut. Root followed shortly afterwards for 66.

England lost several wickets late in the day. However, they still held a substantial advantage at stumps and will look to extend their lead when play resumes.