The England-Pakistan Test rivalry has produced several extraordinary individual performances over the years. From Zaheer Abbas’ commanding display in Birmingham to Harry Brook’s breathtaking triple-century in Multan, batters from both sides have repeatedly produced innings that have defined entire matches.
While some of these knocks came on batting-friendly surfaces and others required immense concentration over several hours, each innings left its mark on the history of the rivalry. Here is a closer look at the five highest individual scores in England vs Pakistan Tests.
Top 5 highest individual scores in ENG vs PAK Test series
1. Harry Brook (England) — 317 runs
Brook produced one of the most destructive Test innings in recent England cricket history during the first Test against Pakistan in Multan in October 2024. Pakistan had posted 556 in their first innings, but Brook responded with an extraordinary 317 from just 322 balls.
Brook smashed 29 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 98.45 and shared a mammoth 454-run partnership with Joe Root. His innings made him only the sixth Englishman to score a Test triple-century and helped England secure an innings-and-47-run victory on a pitch that initially appeared destined for a high-scoring draw.
2. Zaheer Abbas (Pakistan) — 274 runs
Zaheer Abbas announced himself on the international stage with a magnificent 274 in the first Test against England at Edgbaston in June 1971. Playing only his second Test, the 23-year-old spent 544 minutes at the crease and struck 38 fours.
His innings helped Pakistan reach 608/7 declared and earned Abbas widespread recognition, with his elegant strokeplay eventually contributing to his famous nickname, “The Asian Bradman.” The Test was ultimately affected by rain and ended in a draw.
3. Zak Crawley (England) — 267 runs
Zak Crawley produced a career-defining performance against Pakistan in the third Test at Southampton in August 2020. England were struggling at 127/4 when Crawley joined Jos Buttler and the pair proceeded to put together a record-breaking 359-run fifth-wicket partnership.
Crawley scored 267 from 393 balls, hitting 34 fours and one six. His innings remains the highest individual Test score to end in a stumping and represented his maiden Test century being converted into a monumental double-century.
4. Joe Root (England) — 262 runs
Root joined Brook in producing a historic batting performance during the first Test in Multan in October 2024. While Brook attacked the Pakistan bowlers, Root provided the stability at the other end and eventually compiled 262 from 375 deliveries.
The England batter struck 17 fours and surpassed Alastair Cook to become England’s leading run-scorer in Test cricket during the innings. It also became Root’s highest Test score, surpassing his previous best of 254 against Pakistan in 2016.
5. Javed Miandad (Pakistan) — 260 runs
Javed Miandad completed the top five with a marathon 260 against England in the fifth Test at The Oval in August 1987. Batting for 705 minutes, Miandad struck 28 fours and one six during an innings built around patience and endurance.
His knock helped Pakistan build a commanding position in the match and saw Miandad become the first Pakistani batter to cross 6,000 Test runs. The Test ended in a draw, but Pakistan secured a historic 1-0 series victory in England.
