Harry Brook smashed the third-fastest Test century by an England cricketer, scoring his maiden international hundred off just 80 balls.
Brook fell four balls short of equalling the record for the fastest ever hundred by an Englishman, which is held by Gilbert Jessop. Jessop scored a 76-ball century in a Test match against Australia at the Oval back in 1902 and Jonny Bairstow came incredibly close to breaking his record earlier this year.
Bairstow scored a magnificent hundred off 77 balls in a stunning win over New Zealand at Trent Bridge. And now Brook, who is only batting at number five as an injury replacement for Bairstow, struck an outstanding century off 80 balls against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
The 23-year-old is highly rated by the England setup and this hundred will surely be the first of many for him as he looks to establish himself as a regular in the Test team. "You watch him bat in the nets and has a very disciplined method," England white ball captain Jos Buttler said on Sky Sports.
"Even during the T20s he would unfurl a perfect forward defence. He has so much game for every format. He has got it all, easy power as well. He loves batting, just as much as Joe Root."
Pakistan legend Waqar Younis was also full of praise for Brook, telling BBC Test Match Special: "Exceptional player. Brook has everything covered. Technically he is very sound."
Reflecting on his hundred, Brook said: "I enjoyed every minute out there. We were just trying to build a partnership, put the bowlers under pressure and score runs every ball.
"The pitches from my experience have always be slow, low and skiddy. It was exact the same as a T20 pitch.
"I think when Pope and I were batting, a few went down, there weren't many that went up. They got it reversing a bit. If we can get the ball reversing, and we can get it under, I am sure we will have a chance to bowl them out."
