Skipper Brook’s century secures semis spot for England in T20 World Cup
By Nawaz Gohar ; Skipper Harry Brook produced a captain’s knock of the highest class, smashing an unbeaten century to steer England into the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a dramatic two-wicket victory over Pakistan in their Super Eights clash at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a competitive 165, England rode on Brook’s masterful 100 off 51 deliveries — studded with 10 fours and four sixes — to reach the target with five balls to spare. The win marked England’s second successive triumph in the Super Eights, making them the first team to book a place in the semi-finals while consolidating their position at the top of Group 2.
England’s pursuit began in turmoil. Shaheen Shah Afridi ripped through the top order, dismissing Phil Salt for a duck, Jos Buttler for two and Jacob Bethell for eight inside five overs, reducing the two-time champions to 35-3.
Unfazed, Brook anchored the innings with remarkable composure. He stitched crucial partnerships, first steadying the chase with Sam Curran before adding a decisive 52-run stand with Will Jacks. Just as Pakistan sensed an opening late in the game, Brook maintained control until falling on the final ball of the 17th over. Jacks’ brisk 28 further tilted the contest England’s way before Jofra Archer sealed victory with a boundary in the final over.
Afridi finished with outstanding figures of 4-30, while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with two wickets, but their efforts ultimately proved insufficient.
Earlier, Pakistan posted 164-9 after opting to bat. Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with a fluent 63 off 45 balls, sharing key partnerships with Babar Azam (25) and Fakhar Zaman (25). However, England’s disciplined bowling in the death overs, led by Liam Dawson’s 3-24 and supported by Archer and Jamie Overton, restricted Pakistan from posting a bigger total.
Despite moments of promise, Pakistan faltered under pressure, while England — inspired by their captain’s brilliance — marched confidently into the tournament’s final four.
