England captain Joe Root has added another landmark to his extraordinary Test career, moving past Sachin Tendulkar for the most half-centuries in Test cricket. Root reached the milestone during England’s chase against Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston, producing an unbeaten 62 from 69 deliveries to guide his side to an eight-wicket victory. The knock gave Root his 69th Test fifty, taking him one clear of Tendulkar’s 68. It also provided a strong finish to a relatively quiet series with the bat.
Joe Root Record: Most 50s In Tests
The latest Joe Root record underlines his remarkable consistency in the longest format. His unbeaten 62 against Pakistan lifted his tally of Test half-centuries to 69, surpassing Tendulkar’s 68. West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul follows with 66, while Australia’s Alan Border and India’s Rahul Dravid have 63 each.
Root’s achievement adds another chapter to a career already packed with records. He is also closing in on Tendulkar’s all-time Test run record.
Tendulkar finished with 15,291 runs from 329 innings, while Root entered the third Test with 14,278 runs from 309 innings. The England captain therefore remains within striking distance of another historic mark.
Most 50s in Tests
- Joe Root (England) – 69
- Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 68
- Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) – 66
- Alan Border (Australia) – 63
- Rahul Dravid (India) – 63
England vs Pakistan Highlights, 3rd Test
For Root, the historic milestone came during a dominant finish for England in the ENG vs PAK 3rd Test. Pakistan had improved significantly with the bat in their second innings, with Azan Awais, Shan Masood, Babar Azam and Razaullah scoring fifties to set England a target of 130.
England’s bowlers had earlier kept Pakistan under pressure after the visitors were dismissed for 133 in their first innings. Razaullah impressed on Test debut, claiming two wickets, including Root, on the opening day.
England eventually completed the chase with two wickets down, with Root remaining unbeaten on 62. The result completed a 3-0 series sweep after England had already secured victories at Headingley and Lord’s. The series was part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
