Pakistan Vs England: Harry Brook’s Stunning Century Drives England Into T20 World Cup Semi-Finals
Harry Brook’s sensational century under pressure propelled England into the T20 World Cup semi-finals after a two-wicket victory over Pakistan in Pallekele, a result that leaves Pakistan facing a must-win final Group 2 fixture. Pakistan Vs England set the Super 8 narrative as England became the first team to secure a place in the last four.
Pakistan Vs England: scorecard and standout figures
Pakistan 164-9 (20 overs): Farhan 63; Dawson 3-24.
England 166-8 (19. 1 overs): Brook 100; Shaheen 4-30.
Brook’s innings and promotion to number three
England’s captain promoted himself to number three after Phil Salt was dismissed first ball and made exactly 100 in a chase of 165. It was the first time Brook had batted first drop in his T20 international career, and he adjusted through the innings, going up and down the gears as wickets fell around him. Brook hit 10 fours and four sixes in an innings that was described as his first T20 international century.
There are two distinct notations of Brook’s scoring in the available match record: the formal scoreline lists Brook 100, while other narrative detail notes he reached his hundred in 50 deliveries. He was bowled by Shaheen Afridi a ball after reaching his hundred; by that moment only 10 runs were needed from the last three overs.
Top-order collapse and the recovery
England slipped to 58-4 early in the chase after a flurry of dismissals: Jos Buttler fell for three in the third over, Jacob Bethell was out for eight and Tom Banton scored two. Despite that shaky platform, Brook anchored the chase while wickets continued to fall at the other end.
After Brook’s dismissal, the team still lost Will Jacks and Jamie Overton, leaving Jofra Archer to swing away the winning runs with five balls to spare. The match finished as a two-wicket victory for England.
Pakistan’s innings and bowling response
Pakistan were restricted to 164-9 in their 20 overs. Farhan top-scored with 63 from 45 balls. On the bowling side, Dawson finished with 3-24, while Shaheen took 4-30 in England’s successful chase.
England’s fielding was described as sloppy at times when restricting Pakistan to that total, a detail that underlines why the chase remained tense despite Brook’s century.
Implications: semi-finals, schedule and what’s next
England will return to India for a semi-final on either Wednesday or Thursday next week; opponents and venue are still to be confirmed by the remainder of the Super 8 stage. England face New Zealand in Colombo on Friday (1. 30pm UK) before turning full attention to the semi-finals.
Pakistan must hope other results go their way and they must win their final Group 2 game against co-hosts Sri Lanka at this venue on Saturday if they are to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Context and character: Brook’s form and past controversies
The match narrative also references earlier moments in Brook’s recent history: he was clocked by a bouncer in Wellington, described as culpable in the dismal Ashes defeat in Australia, pictured drinking in Noosa, and found to have lied when apologising in Sydney. Those episodes form part of the backdrop to a performance that commentators framed as a day Brook showed leadership for England.
For now, Pakistan Vs England will be remembered for a dramatic chase anchored by a maiden T20 international hundred for Brook and for England securing the first semi-final berth from Super 8 Group 2, albeit while leaving unresolved questions about fielding and consistency heading into the knockout stages.
