Captain Harry Brook’s explosive century helped England edge past Pakistan by two wickets in a thrilling T20 World Cup Super Eight clash at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, effectively ending Pakistan’s semi-final hopes.
Pakistan posted a below-par total of 164-9, thanks to an in-form Sahibzada Farhan’s half-century, after yet another batting collapse. England struggled in their chase early on, following a fiery spell from Shaheen Shah Afridi, but Brook stood firm and single-handedly guided his side to victory with a maiden T20I century, securing England’s place in the semi-finals.
England’s chase got off to the worst possible start as in-form Phil Salt fell on the very first ball. Attempting to play an inswinger, Salt edged the ball to the wicketkeeper Usman Khan, who held on without error.
Afridi struck again in the second over, dismissing former England captain Jos Buttler. Usman once more held a tidy catch, reducing the visitors to 17-2.
Jacob Bethell briefly offered hope after surviving a dropped catch off Saim Ayub at short fine leg. However, he failed to capitalize as Afridi came back to remove the southpaw, with Sahibzada Farhan taking a stunning catch at deep square leg.
After the powerplay, England captain Brook took charge, smashing Mohammad Nawaz for 17 runs as the visitors reached their half-century in the seventh over.
Amid the flow of runs, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha turned to mystery spinner Usman Tariq, and the move paid off immediately. Tariq removed Tom Banton with the very first ball, handing England their fourth setback.
However, England captain Harry Brook, the linchpin of their batting, continued his explosive form, reaching a half-century off just 28 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes.
Rampant Brook continued his hard-hitting, but Sam Curran, who had added 45 runs with his captain, perished for 16 off 15 balls while attempting a boundary over deep mid-wicket. Mohammad Nawaz held a straightforward catch, leaving England five down.
Brook continued his fiery form, scoring his first T20I century off just 50 balls and forging a match-winning 52-run partnership with Will Jacks. The England captain, who struck 10 fours and four sixes, was dismissed off the very next ball after reaching his century off Afridi, but by then England needed just 10 runs from three overs.
Jacks made a quickfire 28 off 23 balls but fell short of finishing the game, while Jamie Overton also departed without scoring, adding late drama to the innings.
England finally crossed the line as Jofra Archer struck a boundary off the first ball of the final over, sealing a two-wicket victory and securing their place in the semi-finals
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