Brook’s 115-ball innings – which included a century of 91, his second-fastest in Tests – put England in command at the Basin Reserve, with New Zealand at 86 for 5 before the tourists reached 198 for 5. Trailing the initial effort of 280. 25 – The one-year-old was at 26 for 3 when Joe Root fell and he played some adventurous shots, including dismissing Nathan Smith in the first three overs. Six over extra cover.
It immediately began as a counter-attack on a pitch that was seaming heavily. Having been dismissed five times in the previous week’s 171 in the First Test, Brook remained chanceless throughout, until some slow running led to him being run out by Smith at tea time.
“I think this might be my favorite century ever,” Brook said at stumps. “I enjoyed it very much.
“Really it was just the conditions, when I came in it was 26 for 3 and the pitch was performing quite well. It was seaming and swinging and I’m glad I turned on my aggressive mode and really took it.” Reach out to them and put pressure on them.
“Obviously that pitch (Multan) was extremely flat. You could just lean on it and the outfield was so fast that it would take four runs. The playing conditions here, the pitch and the way I played…I felt Like I was really putting a lot of pressure on them.
“It’s a very special feeling. Most of the balls came through the middle of the bat. It feels good to bat like this.”
Smith said, “He’s one of a crop of new, young cricketers – those world-class cricketers; him, Rachin, the India boy (Yashaswi Jaiswal).” “You put those guys in the same category. He’s world class, right up there.”
This was Brook’s seventh century abroad, taking his average in 10 Test matches away from home to 91.50. All of them have been played in Pakistan (six) and New Zealand (four), and he is yet to play in India or Australia.
“I’ve only played in two countries – the situation might change if I go to other countries,” Brook said. “Pakistan pitches are generally very good for batting. Here you get good pace, pace and bounce and I feel I can play different types of shots.”
“I think the ball was 92/93 mph after getting the no-ball wicket,” Brook said. “He was very angry. Every team needs a player like him, he bowls 90mph, dives and takes amazing catches and he can come out with the bat and hit his very first ball. But he can hit the mark. He’s a very valuable asset for us and an incredibly good guy.”
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