Brook ton fires England past Pakistan into semi-finals

TDT | Agencies

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Harry Brook smashed a breathtaking century as England defeated Pakistan by two wickets in a tense Super Eights clash in Kandy yesterday to seal their place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals. Chasing 165, England recovered from 0 for 1 and 17 for 2 to reach 166 for 8 with five balls to spare, Brook anchoring the innings with a blistering 100 off 51 balls, hitting 10 fours and four sixes.

Brook held England together as wickets fell around him, adding crucial middle-overs runs with Will Jacks, who made 28 off 23, before falling with just 10 runs needed. Shaheen Shah Afridi rattled the top order with a four-wicket burst to finish with 4 for 30, while Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq struck in the middle overs to keep Pakistan in the contest until the closing stages.

Earlier, Pakistan posted 164 for nine after electing to bat, built around an impressive 63 from 45 balls by opener Sahibzada Farhan, who struck seven fours and two sixes. Fakhar Zaman added a brisk 25 off 16 and Shadab Khan thrashed 23 off 11, but regular strikes from Liam Dawson, who took 3 for 24, and Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton, with two wickets apiece, checked Pakistan’s late surge.

England’s nervy chase went down to the final over before Jofra Archer punched the winning boundary to complete a memorable night at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The result left Pakistan’s hopes of progressing hanging by a thread, while an unbeaten Brook walked off to a standing ovation for one of the tournament’s standout innings.