Pakistan Vs England: Brook’s hundred takes England into T20 World Cup semi-finals
Harry Brook’s sensational century carried England to a two-wicket win over Pakistan in Pallekele, a result that puts England into the T20 World Cup semi-finals and leaves Pakistan needing a win against Sri Lanka to keep hope alive in the pakistan vs england Super 8 group.
Pakistan Vs England: Brook promoted, century under pressure
England chased 165 after Pakistan posted 164-9 in 20 overs at Pallekele, where Farhan top-scored with 63 off 45 balls and Dawson finished with 3-24 for Pakistan. England reached 166-8 in 19. 1 overs, with Brook making exactly 100 and Shaheen Afridi taking 4-30.
How the match unfolded and key figures
Phil Salt was dismissed first ball, and Jos Buttler fell for three in the third over as England slipped to 58-4; Jacob Bethell made eight and Tom Banton two. Brook, who promoted himself to number three, hit 10 fours and four sixes on his way to a century that steadied a wobbling chase. He was bowled by Shaheen a ball after reaching his hundred. One passage of the context states the hundred came in 50 deliveries; the official scoreline lists Brook as 100, a discrepancy present in the available accounts.
McCullum’s call and Brook’s response
Brendon McCullum suggested the promotion and Brook said the move was decided only a few hours before the game; Brook called McCullum “the mastermind” for the change. Brook said getting to the crease early let him face pace and make use of the powerplay, and he added that longer innings made facing the best bowlers in the middle period easier. Brook will discuss with McCullum whether to continue batting at number three ahead of Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton.
Late wobble, a crucial partnership and final moments
England’s chase became tense late: with nine runs still needed, Will Jacks — who had put on a crucial 52 with Brook after England slipped to 103 for five — and then Jamie Overton fell, leaving Jofra Archer to clip a four that got England home in the final over, and other accounts describe Archer swinging the winning runs with five balls to spare. Brook was dismissed the ball after reaching three figures and, by then, only 10 runs were required from the last three overs.
What this result means for the Super 8s and upcoming fixtures
England are the first team to secure a place in the T20 World Cup last four and will return to India for a semi-final on either Wednesday or Thursday next week; opponents and the venue remain to be confirmed by the remainder of the Super 8 stage. England also have a fixture against New Zealand in Colombo on Friday (1. 30pm UK) before turning full attention to the semis. Pakistan must win their final Group 2 game against co-hosts Sri Lanka at this venue on Saturday and hope other results go their way to progress.
Brook’s winter and personal context
The 27-year-old Brook has come under the spotlight since the Ashes: he was punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington on Hallowe’en, pictured drinking in Noosa, criticised for his role in the Ashes defeat in Australia, and found to have lied when apologising in Sydney. Brook described the winter as “probably the hardest winter of my life” and said it was “nice to see some rewards for my hard work away from the ground. ”
England’s victory here, following a win over Sri Lanka, guarantees a top-two spot in their Super 8 group with a match to spare and sends them into the semi-finals; Pakistan must now win in Pallekele on Saturday to keep their hopes alive.
