Pakistan Vs England: Brook’s Century Sends England Into T20 World Cup Semi-Finals After Thrilling Pallekele Win

The pakistan vs england Super 8s clash in Pallekele ended in a two-wicket victory that confirmed England as the first side through to the T20 World Cup semi-finals, powered by Harry Brook’s maiden T20 international century. The result leaves Pakistan needing favorable results and a win in their final Group 2 game to keep qualification hopes alive.

Pakistan Vs England: Match result and what it means

England reached 166-8 in 19. 1 overs to chase Pakistan’s 164-9 (20 overs), securing a two-wicket win that guarantees them a place in the last four with a match to spare. England will now travel to India for a semi-final on either Wednesday or Thursday next week; opponents and the venue remain unclear in the provided context. England also have a scheduled match against New Zealand in Colombo on Friday at 1. 30pm UK time before shifting full attention to the semi-finals.

Scoreboard and standout figures

• Pakistan 164-9 (20 overs): Farhan 63.
• Bowling for England included Damer Dawson with 3-24 in the Pakistan innings.
• England 166-8 (19. 1 overs): Harry Brook 100 (noted in the context as both a 50-ball and a 51-ball effort); Shaheen Afridi 4-30 for Pakistan.

One account described Brook’s hundred as a 50-ball effort while a match summary listed his score as 100; both figures appear in the available material. That century was identified as the first of his T20 international career in the provided context.

Brook’s innings, promotion and late drama

Harry Brook promoted himself to number three after Phil Salt was dismissed first ball and produced a match-defining hundred, hitting 10 fours and four sixes as England recovered from 58-4 — a position reached after early dismissals including Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton. Brook was bowled by Shaheen Afridi a ball after reaching his hundred, by which point only 10 runs were needed from the final three overs.

Despite Brook’s control, England’s lower order gave the finish a nervy edge: wickets of Will Jacks and Jamie Overton left the chase tense before Jofra Archer swung away the winning runs with five balls to spare.

Fielding, selection and player reactions

The England performance in the field was described as slightly sloppy while restricting Pakistan to 164-9. Post-match comments in the available coverage included Brook explaining he accepted the move up the order to make more of the powerplay; a team figure identified as Baz had told him “Pakistan are your team” earlier that day. Brook reflected on fielding lapses, noting a teammate, Jacob Bethell, had fumbled a couple of chances and that the outfield was bumpy.

Brook said he was worried that getting out just past his hundred could trigger a repeat of a prior collapse when England lost to India at the Oval in a similar circumstance. Will Jacks spoke about taking time to settle into the side, supporting Brook’s promotion to number three and accepting that bowlers sometimes go for runs. Salman Agha, reflecting on Pakistan’s performance, said the team could have done better but conceded Brook’s innings had taken the game away; he praised Afridi’s bowling for doing exactly what was wanted and expressed hope that England might struggle against New Zealand for Pakistan’s benefit.

Pakistan’s path, permutations and final Group game

Pakistan must win their final Group 2 match against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Saturday and also rely on other results to have any chance of advancing. Two qualification scenarios were outlined in the available material: if New Zealand beat Sri Lanka, Pakistan would need England to beat New Zealand and then Pakistan would have to beat Sri Lanka while hoping their net run-rate is superior; alternatively, if Sri Lanka beat New Zealand and England also beat New Zealand, Pakistan would still need to beat Sri Lanka to progress. The provided context states Pakistan can still qualify but would need favours from other results.

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England are the first team to secure a spot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals from the Super 8 stage, having been described in the available accounts as not entirely convincing throughout the tournament but possessing significant firepower. Details on semi-final opponents and the exact venue will be confirmed once the remainder of the Super 8 stage concludes; further developments may evolve.