England finally declare on 173-1, setting Pakistan a record-breaking 565 to win the Test
Alastair Cook eventually calls it a day as even more records tumble, including skipper's quickest-ever fifty, on day four
ALASTAIR COOK finally called it a day after 40 exhilarating minutes on day four at Old Trafford racking up 75 runs in just nine overs.
After bizarrely failing to enforce the follow-on, England were in no mood to go slowly as both skipper Cook and Joe Root smashed the ball to all parts of the ground on the fourth morning.
Captain Cook even notched his fastest ever fifty - from just 55 balls - before ending unbeaten on 76 from just 78 balls.
At the other end, Yorkshire's Root was sweeping, cutting and scooping Pakistan's bowlers using a full array of Twenty20-style shots to fly to 71 from just 48 balls by the time the long-overdue declaration came.
He brought up his 50 from 38 balls for his 21st in Test cricket, on the back of his stunning 254 in the first innings.
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In fact, Root's 325 runs in the match were enough for the fourth highest by any Englishman in Test history.
By the time the duo were done, Pakistan required a first-class record 565 to win the Second Test.
The biggest chase-down in Test history is a staggering 418, while the first-class milestone sits on 541.
With just shy of two days to bat, the tourists will be more concerned by trying to salvage a draw, let alone get anywhere near the win in Manchester.