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Joe Root has become the first century-maker at the 2019 ICC World Cup.
The England batsman pinched a single to reach 100 off 97 balls against Pakistan, helping the team to 238-4 chasing 349 to win. He was dropped in the slips when on just 9.
Root was the 20th batsman to make a half-century in this tournament but the previous 19 — including three from Pakistan in this match — failed to convert to a hundred.
Following Root, Jos Buttler joined him in reaching three figures, and his century was even quicker than his teammate's — off just 75 balls. Buttler’s 100 in fact was the fastest World Cup century by an England player.
Fastest Hundreds for England in World Cup Matches
However, much like Root, soon after scoring his century, Buttler was out for 103, top-edging to short third man.
England are chasing Pakistan’s 348/8 but slumped to 128-4.
The current record run chase at a World Cup was made by Ireland, with its 329-7 to beat England in Bangalore in 2011.
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