Captain Harry Brook led England to the World Cup semifinals with a remarkable performance against Pakistan in the Super Eights, scoring his maiden T20 international century. England secured a two-wicket victory, chasing down a target of 165.
Promoted to number three for the first time in a T20 match, Brook played a pivotal role, accumulating 100 runs off just 51 balls. His innings was crucial in guiding England past Pakistan’s total of 164, despite encountering some late-game challenges.
After an initial setback with Phil Salt’s early dismissal, England faced difficulties during the power play. However, Brook’s unwavering determination helped stabilize the innings as wickets continued to fall. He managed to elevate the score from 35-3 to 155-6 before his dismissal, marking the second fastest century in T20 World Cup history and the first by a captain in this format.
Brook’s aggressive batting included four sixes and ten fours, surpassing his prior T20 international high score of 81 not out from four years ago in Karachi. The highlight of his century came with a six and a four off Shaheen Shah Afridi, reaching the landmark in just 50 balls.
Brook attributed his shift to the number three position to coach Brendon “Baz” McCullum, who suggested the change before the match. Brook executed his aggressive batting strategy effectively from the start, aiming to take advantage of the power play. His efforts provided England a solid foundation.
In Pakistan’s bowling lineup, Afridi made a significant impact, capturing four wickets for 30 runs, including key dismissals of Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell during the power play. Despite some tense moments, Brook maintained composure, forging a 45-run partnership with Sam Curran and later benefiting from a 52-run stand with Will Jacks, who contributed 28 runs.
In the closing overs, spinner Mohammad Nawaz posed a threat as he took two quick wickets, introducing some anxiety into England’s chase. However, Jofra Archer sealed the victory with a boundary on the first ball of the final over.
The defeat leaves Pakistan in a precarious position as they must beat Sri Lanka in their next match and rely on other results for a chance to reach the semifinals after their Super Eights opener against New Zealand was abandoned due to rain. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha recognized Brook’s exceptional innings, acknowledging its decisive role in the match.
Earlier, England’s bowling unit, featuring Liam Dawson’s impressive figures of 3-24 and support from Jamie Overton and Archer, effectively restricted Pakistan to 164-9. Opener Sahibzada Farhan showcased his form with a solid 63 runs off 45 balls, but Pakistan’s batting faltered under pressure from England’s bowlers. The match sets the stage for upcoming critical encounters in the tournament, particularly as New Zealand prepares to face Sri Lanka on Wednesday.