MULTAN, Pakistan (Reuters) - Joe Root's hunger and consistency can help him become the top run-scorer in test cricket, fellow Englishman Alastair Cook said after being surpassed by him as the country's most successful batsman in the format on Wednesday.

Root eclipsed Cook's tally of 12,472 runs when he reached 71 not out with an elegantly driven boundary on day three of the first test against Pakistan and the former captain celebrated with a wave to the dressing room.