Brook’s maiden century puts England in World Cup semis

By Alam Zeb Safi
KANDY: Harry Brook struck a superb century to steer England to a tense two-wicket victory over Pakistan in their Super Eights Group 2 clash at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, helping them to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Chasing 165, England reached 166-8 with five balls to spare after recovering from early setbacks against a fiery spell from Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Brook was named player of the match for his 100 off 51 balls, an innings featuring 10 fours and four sixes which anchored England’s chase after they slipped to 35-3 inside five overs.
Pakistan, who elected to bat, posted 164-9 from their 20 overs, built around Sahibzada Farhan’s 63 off 45 deliveries. The opener struck seven boundaries and two sixes to provide stability after early wickets.
Saim Ayub fell for seven and captain Salman Agha was dismissed for five as England’s bowlers applied pressure in the powerplay. Babar Azam made 25 but struggled to accelerate before he was bowled by Jamie Overton in the 11th over.
Farhan reached his half-century off 37 balls but was trapped lbw by Overton in the 16th over as Pakistan lost momentum. Liam Dawson returned figures of 3-24 in four overs, removing Fakhar Zaman and striking twice in the 18th over to derail a late push.
A quickfire 23 off 11 balls from Shadab Khan lifted Pakistan past 160, though they lost three wickets in the final two overs to finish below what had appeared possible midway through the innings.
England’s reply began disastrously as Shaheen dismissed Phil Salt with the first ball of the innings and removed Jos Buttler in his second over. Jacob Bethell also fell to the left-arm quick, who finished with 4-30 from his four overs.
Brook counterattacked, bringing up his fifty from 28 balls as England raced to 53-3 at the end of the powerplay. He shared a crucial 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Will Jacks, who made 28 off 23 balls.
Brook reached his century off 50 deliveries but was bowled in the 17th over with England still needing 10 runs. Pakistan briefly threatened a late twist when Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Jacks and Jamie Overton in quick succession.
However, Liam Dawson and Jofra Archer guided England home in 19.1 overs to secure the win and two points in Group 2.
The result helped England move to four points and also semi-finals while the loss left Pakistan with one point and they will not only need a must win against Sri Lanka on Saturday but results of other matches also will need to contribute to their cause relating to pre-final qualification.

Summarised scores

Pakistan 164-9 (20 overs)
Sahibzada Farhan 63 (45); Shadab Khan 23 (11)
Liam Dawson 3-24; Jamie Overton 2-26

England 166-8 (19.1 overs)
Harry Brook 100 (51); Will Jacks 28 (23)
Shaheen Shah Afridi 4-30

Result: England won by two wickets (with five balls remaining)