Former England captain and legendary batsman Joe Root made history in the first Test against Pakistan at Headingley. Root batted brilliantly, scoring 66 runs. With this half-century, he equaled India’s greatest batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record for most half centuries in Test cricket (68).

ENG vs PAK: Joe Root’s blast in Leeds Test, equals Sachin Tendulkar’s world record, surpasses Clive Lloyd

Master Blaster’s record is targeted, achieved in 167th Test.

Joe Root topped the list of legends by scoring his 68th half-century of his Test career. Sachin Tendulkar had scored 68 half-centuries in 200 Test matches. Root achieved this feat in just his 167th Test match. At the rate at which Root is scoring runs, it is almost certain that he will surpass Tendulkar’s record. However, he failed to convert his half-century into a big innings in this match and was out after scoring 66 runs.

Return to captaincy and surpassing Clive Lloyd

Following the retirement of Ben Stokes, Joe Root has once again been appointed the permanent captain of England’s Test team. Upon his return as captain, he achieved another milestone. Root surpassed West Indies great Clive Lloyd (41 times) for the most scores of 50 or more (50+) as captain. Root has now reached fifth place with 42 such scores.

Players with most 50+ scores as captain

• Graeme Smith (South Africa): 61 times
• Ricky Ponting (Australia): 54 times
• Allan Border (Australia): 51 times
• Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan): 43 times
• Joe Root (England): 42 times
• Clive Lloyd (West Indies): 41 times

Fans and experts’ opinions

In the ongoing Test series between England and Pakistan, Joe Root has a chance to surpass Misbah-ul-Haq (43) and move into fourth place on the list of players with the most 50+ scores as captain. Furthermore, another half-century would make him the only batsman with the most half-centuries in Test history.