By any measure, this was an incredible day of Test cricket, breaking new ground and challenging other decades-long milestones.

Even on a pitch that had been uncharacteristically flat for almost four days, and against a toothless Pakistan attack that was missing the ailing spinner Abrar Ahmed, the runs from Brook, Root and England were exceptional.

The tourists gained the advantage by reaching 492-3 on the third day as Root became England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer.

Root had added 10 to his 176 overnight when he drilled Naseem Shah to mid-wicket where Babar Azam fired a simple catch. From then on, Pakistan fell apart, England scored at will and the prospect of a rare triple century quickly became a reality.

Brook, who returned with 141, surpassed his previous highest Test score of 186. A top edge from Aamer Jamal narrowly evaded the square-leg fielder and on the next ball a move from Brook took the stand past England’s best-ever partnership score of 411 between Greats Colin Cowdrey and Peter May in 1957.

Root scored another best in his record-breaking career, surpassing his previous high score of 254. After 10 hours at the crease, he was finally beaten by an off-break that Salman Agha managed to keep down.

Brook kept playing and bowling using both classic and unorthodox strokes: cover drives, ramps, flicks and the use of his feet. Pakistan became a mob, plagued by misfields and falls, while six home bowlers conceded more than 100 runs.

Only eight overs were needed for Jamie Smith to score 79. Brook went from 250 to 300 in just 29 balls, a holy grail of batting success achieved thanks to a straight four against Saim Ayub.

It was Brook’s 32nd triple century in Test cricket, which he celebrated with a salute to the dressing room and a look to the sky.

The 25-year-old appeared ready to challenge Sir Len Hutton’s 364, the highest score by an England batsman, until he swept Ayub away. He left the game with the fifth highest score by an Englishman.

However, England were not finished yet and became the fourth team to pass the 800 mark before captain Ollie Pope decided just before tea that it was enough.