After Root was seen rubbing the ball on spinner Jack Leach‘s bald head to get the shine on the ball on the third day, the right-handed batsman left everyone stunned on Day 4 of the match when he decided to bat left-handed to counter leg spinner Zahid Mahmood.
However, the ambidextrous Root’s innovation got almost backfired as his sweep shot was put down by Naseem Shah at midwicket. But later he was dismissed by Mahmood only for 73 off just 69 balls.
Joe Root decides to bat left-handed ????#PAKvENG | #UKSePK https://t.co/GOvnkof54B
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) 1670144973000
Coming to the match, England declared their second innings at 264/7 to set Pakistan an imposing target of 343 runs.
Pakistan have a maximum 130 overs left to either secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match series or salvage a draw.
Harry Brook struck a fiery 65-ball 87 before he was dismissed by Naseem Shah at the stroke of tea, with England skipper Ben Stokes signalling the declaration.
Earlier spinner Will Jacks took six wickets on his debut to help England dismiss Pakistan for 579 and give his side a 78-run first-innings lead.
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