Pakistan Vs England: Brook century sends England into semis

In a tense pakistan vs england Super 8 Group 2 match at Pallekele, Harry Brook’s century under pressure carried England to a two-wicket victory and a place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals. The win left England the first team to secure a last-four spot, while Pakistan must wait on other results and a win over Sri Lanka to keep their hopes alive.

Pakistan Vs England at Pallekele

Pakistan finished on 164-9 in their 20 overs, with Farhan making 63 off 45 balls and Dawson taking 3-24. England replied with 166-8 in 19. 1 overs: Brook scored 100 from 51 deliveries and Shaheen Afridi returned figures of 4-30. Brook’s hundred was the first of his T20 international career and he reached the milestone in 50 balls; he was bowled by Shaheen Afridi a ball after reaching his century, by which point only 10 runs were required from the final three overs.

Brook promoted to number three

The England captain promoted himself to number three after Phil Salt was dismissed first ball. Brook said he had been thinking about the move for a while to make more of the powerplay and in the build-up Baz had told him, "Pakistan are your team, " which helped convince him to take the role. This was Brook’s first time batting at first drop in his T20 international career and he adjusted the tempo as wickets fell around him.

Top-order collapse then recovery

England slipped to 58-4 after Jos Buttler was out for three in the third over, Jacob Bethell fell for eight and Tom Banton was out for two. Brook rebuilt the chase, hitting 10 fours and four sixes as he took control. After his hundred, further wickets — including Will Jacks and Jamie Overton — briefly revived tension, but Jofra Archer struck the winning runs with five balls to spare to complete the two-wicket victory.

Pakistan reaction and scenarios

Salman Agha said Pakistan could have done better and that sometimes one must accept an opponent played well, adding that Harry Brook had effectively taken the game away from them. He praised Shaheen Afridi’s bowling as doing exactly what Pakistan wanted and expressed the hope that England can now beat New Zealand for Pakistan’s benefit. Pakistan must also win their final Group 2 game against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Saturday and rely on other results: if New Zealand beat Sri Lanka, Pakistan would need England to beat New Zealand, then Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka and hope for a superior net run-rate; alternatively, if Sri Lanka beat New Zealand and England also beat New Zealand, Pakistan still need to beat Sri Lanka to move on. The side will have regrets about batting first and perhaps not looking to hit out sooner, and about using three of Usman Tariq’s overs once the match was close to over.

Fielding, selection and remarks

England were described as sloppy in the field while restricting Pakistan to 164-9. Brook’s team-mates nearly squandered his innings: Bethell admitted to a fumbled couple of chances and said the outfield was bumpy, while Will Jacks reflected that it had taken him time to settle into the side but that he supported Brook’s move to three because Brook is the best player and needs to face more balls. Brook said he was slightly worried that, having been dismissed just past his hundred, England might "do another Oval"—a reference to the loss to India in that circumstance—but expected few changes despite the top order’s troubles.

First into the last four

England are the first team to secure a spot in the T20 World Cup last four despite not always convincing in the tournament so far. Brook was named player of the match and said he was very happy with how the team performed; he also acknowledged the move up the order showed the leadership’s willingness to mix things up. Observers credited England for coming to Pallekele early, for selecting Will Jacks and for promoting Brook to No 3.

Brook’s career has featured highs and controversies: he had been "clocked" by a bouncer in Wellington, was described as culpable in the Ashes defeat in Australia, was pictured drinking in Noosa and was found to have lied when apologising in Sydney. On this occasion, though, his performance was described as everything good about England’s white-ball captain — destructive and decisive under pressure.

England will return to India for a semi-final on either Wednesday or Thursday next week; the opponents and venue are to be confirmed by the remainder of the Super 8 stage.