Pakistan Vs England: Harry Brook’s 50-ball century blazes England into semis in pakistan vs england Super 8s thriller
Harry Brook’s 50-ball century proved decisive as England chased down Pakistan’s 164 to reach the T20 World Cup semi-finals in the Super 8s match between pakistan vs england. The captain’s hundred anchored a tense chase that left England’s place in the last four confirmed.
Pakistan Vs England: Brook’s century and the scoreboard
In the Super 8s encounter England finished 166 for 8 to defeat Pakistan’s 164 for 9 by two wickets. Captain Brook hit 100, completing his century off his 50th delivery, and fell to the last ball of the 17th over — the first after reaching three figures. Brook had been promoted for the first time to No 3 and came to the crease just one ball into the innings; by the time he departed England needed 10 off 18 balls.
Early collapse: Salt, Buttler and the top five falter
Brook arrived after England’s top five faltered. Openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler combined for three runs before both edged into the gloves of Usman Khan — Salt swinging at the first ball of the innings and losing his outside edge, Buttler lasting into the third over before feathering one behind. The match report notes Buttler is in truly dreadful form, averaging 10. 33 in six innings at this tournament.
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s return and the powerplay damage
Shaheen Shah Afridi reclaimed a place in the side and ripped through the rest of England’s top order in the powerplay before returning to claim Brook as his fourth victim with his final ball of the game. Shaheen is noted as being 25 and considered by many a fading force; he had been dropped after conceding 31 in two overs against India and was back in the XI only because Faheem Ashraf was not fit enough to keep his own place.
Late overs drama: Overton, Jacks and a nervy finish
Will Jacks and Jamie Overton both fell in the penultimate over, giving Pakistan their faintest sniff of renewed hope. The coverage records two overlapping facts about the finish: one line describes Brook’s hundred as setting up a final-over win, while the match summary states England ultimately got there with five remaining to win by two wickets.
Moments and matchpieces: boundaries, bowling and notable innings
Brook’s innings featured 14 boundaries, the standout being a back-foot straight drive for six off Mohammad Nawaz. Shadab Khan went on to score an additional and rapid 19; Pakistan celebrated those runs and each one added fuel to Brook’s fire. Sahibzada Farhan, identified as the tournament’s leading scorer, had earlier added another fine innings and an excellent audition for members of the Hundred hierarchy.
England’s bowling is described as largely excellent, with Jofra Archer again setting the tone with an early wicket. The report also notes Saim Ayub looping a top-edged pull during the contest.
Leadership and reaction on the field
Brook’s century was framed as a demonstration of leadership by example after he had repeatedly spoken of his frustration at England’s tentative batting in this tournament. He addressed his former captain’s struggles directly, saying: “He’s a powerhouse of world cricket, he’s done it on every stage, won World Cups, ODIs and T20s. People have got to cut him a little bit of slack. He’s arguably our best player, he’s just not hitting them out of the middle at the minute. ”
Several Pakistan players ran towards Brook to shake his hand as he left the field, and soon they were shaking hands again after the finish.
