Joe Root Matches Sachin Tendulkar’s 68 Test Fifties Record; England Dominate Pakistan With 195-Run Lead

England captain Joe Root equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most half-centuries in Test cricket after scoring 66 runs on Day 2 of the first Test against Pakistan at Leeds.

The 35-year-old Root registered his 68th Test half-century, moving level with India's legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar at the top of the list.

Joe Root Joins Sachin Tendulkar at the Top

Root's latest half-century takes his tally to 68 in Test cricket. Tendulkar also scored 68 Test fifties during his international career.

West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul is third on the list with 66 half-centuries, while India's Rahul Dravid and Australia's Allan Border are joint-fourth with 63 each.

Most Test Half-Centuries

Joe Root — 68

Sachin Tendulkar — 68

Shivnarine Chanderpaul — 66

Rahul Dravid — 63

Allan Border — 63

Root Among Top Test Captains for 50+ Scores

Root has also climbed to fifth place among captains with the most 50-plus scores in Test cricket.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith leads the list with 61 such scores. Australia's Ricky Ponting is second with 54, followed by Allan Border with 51 and Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq with 43.

Root's latest innings further underlines his consistency in Test cricket, particularly after returning to the England captaincy.

Joe Root Returns as England Test Captain

Root has taken over as England's Test captain again following Ben Stokes' retirement in July 2026.

He first became England's Test captain in February 2017, succeeding Alastair Cook. Root stepped down from the role in April 2022, with Stokes subsequently taking charge.

His return to the leadership role adds another chapter to an already remarkable Test career.

Sachin Tendulkar Still Leads Century Charts

While Root has now matched Tendulkar's tally of Test half-centuries, the Indian batting legend remains comfortably ahead in the Test century rankings.

Tendulkar scored 51 Test centuries, followed by South Africa's Jacques Kallis with 45 and Australia's Ricky Ponting with 41.

England Take Commanding Lead Over Pakistan

England strengthened their position in the Leeds Test on Day 2, reaching 366/8 at stumps and securing a 195-run first-innings lead over Pakistan.

Harry Brook contributed 91 runs, while Jordan Cox scored 73. Don Dwarshuis also made a valuable 51.

Pakistan's Usman Ali was the standout bowler, claiming five wickets.

With England holding a substantial lead, Pakistan face a challenging task in the next innings as the first Test moves into its crucial stages.