Harry Brook’s magnificent maiden T20 World Cup century defined a thrilling chase as England edged Pakistan by 2 wickets. Brook’s 100 off 51 balls powered England to their target with 5 balls remaining.
England became the first team to qualify for the semifinals. Pakistan posted 164/9 after winning the toss and batting first. Sahibzada Farhan’s 63 anchored the innings before Liam Dawson claimed 3/24.
Shaheen Afridi struck thrice in the powerplay to reduce England to 18/3. Brook counter-attacked brilliantly, becoming the first captain to score a T20 World Cup century. He smashed 10 fours and 4 sixes in a breathtaking knock.
Will Jacks contributed 28 before falling to Mohammad Nawaz. Pakistan fought back, reducing England to 162/8. Jofra Archer sealed victory with a boundary off Salman Mirza’s final delivery.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup, Super 8 Group 2 |
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele |
| Result | England won by 2 wickets |
| Pakistan | 164/9 (20 overs) |
| England | 166/8 (19.1 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Harry Brook (100 off 51) |
| Toss | Pakistan won and chose to bat |
First Innings Highlights
Jofra Archer began with a testing opening over. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub provided a steady start before Archer removed Ayub for 7, caught at deep square leg.
Salman Agha departed for 5, caught brilliantly by Jamie Overton at long-off off Liam Dawson. Babar Azam joined Farhan to rebuild with a 44-run partnership. Babar struck consecutive boundaries off Archer before falling for 25, bowled by Overton.
Farhan continued his excellent form, reaching his third fifty of the tournament. Fakhar Zaman provided impetus with a brisk 25 off 16 balls, smashing two sixes. Adil Rashid dismissed Fakhar caught at backward square leg. Overton trapped Farhan lbw for 63 after a fine innings.
Shadab Khan counter-attacked with 23 off 11 balls, striking four boundaries. Dawson picked up two late wickets, dismissing Usman Khan and Mohammad Nawaz. Dawson completed his three-wicket haul as Pakistan finished on 164/9. Archer claimed 2/32 while Overton took 2/26.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Sahibzada Farhan | 63 runs (45 balls, 7×4, 2×6) |
| Best Bowler | Liam Dawson | 4-0-24-3 |
Second Innings Highlights
Shaheen Afridi struck with the first ball, dismissing Phil Salt for a golden duck, caught behind. Harry Brook promoted himself to number three. Shaheen removed Jos Buttler for 2, caught behind in his second over.
Jacob Bethell fell for 8, caught at deep square leg as England slumped to 29/3. Brook counter-attacked brilliantly, smashing boundaries regularly. He reached his fifty off just 28 balls with a sweep.
Tom Banton struggled before falling for 2, caught behind off Usman Tariq for 2. Sam Curran provided support with 16 before being caught at deep mid-wicket off Tariq. Will Jacks joined Brook and struck 28 with two sixes. Brook brought up his historic century with a boundary in the 17th over. Shaheen bowled Brook for 100 in his final over.
Mohammad Nawaz struck twice, bowling Jacks for 28 and stumping Jamie Overton for 0. England needed 5 runs from 12 balls with two wickets remaining. Jofra Archer hit the winning boundary off Salman Mirza. Shaheen finished with excellent figures of 4-0-30-4.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Harry Brook | 100 runs (51 balls, 10×4, 4×6) |
| Best Bowler | Shaheen Afridi | 4-0-30-4 |
