Pakistan vs England: Brook’s Stunning 100 Powers Dramatic Semi-Final Berth

Match Score: England 166-8 (19.1 overs) beat Pakistan 164-9 (20 overs) by two wickets in Pallekele

In a heart-stopping clash that had fans on the edge of their seats until the (Pakistan vs England) final over, Harry Brook delivered a sensational century to drag England into the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a nerve-shredding two-wicket victory over Pakistan .

The English captain made a bold call after Phil Salt departed for a golden duck, promoting himself to number three—a position he’d never batted in T20 internationals before. That gamble paid off spectacularly as Brook smashed exactly 100 off just 51 balls, becoming only the third Englishman after Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan to score centuries in all three formats .

Captain’s Knock Under Pressure

England’s chase of 165 looked destined for disaster when they slumped to 58-4. Jos Buttler’s wretched form continued with just three runs—the skipper has now managed only 15 runs in his last five innings . Jacob Bethell fell for eight, and Tom Banton managed just two as Pakistan’s bowlers sniffed blood.

But Brook had other ideas. He navigated the powerplay masterfully, shielding himself from Pakistan’s five-pronged spin attack before exploding. The 26-year-old clubbed 10 fours and four sixes, mixing brutal power with exquisite timing . His straight sixes off the spinners and pristine cover drives left the Pallekele crowd spellbound.

“I just wanted to take responsibility,” Brook said afterward. “When you’re three or four down early, someone has to bat through. Luckily, today was my day.”

Nail-Biting Finish

Brook finally departed bowled by Shaheen Afridi—ironically the same bowler who’d started England’s rot with Salt’s first-ball dismissal—but not before reducing the equation to 10 runs from 18 balls .

Even then, England nearly bottled it. Will Jacks (28) and Jamie Overton fell in quick succession, leaving Jofra Archer and Liam Dawson to scrape the remaining runs. Archer duly obliged, swinging the first ball of the final over for four to seal victory with five balls remaining .

Pakistan’s Fightback Falls Short

Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan’s gritty 63 off 45 balls anchored Pakistan to 164-9 after they were inserted. But the innings never quite caught fire—Babar Azam managed just 13 off 15 in a laborious 46-run stand with Farhan that consumed 44 balls .

Liam Dawson (3-24) and Overton starred with the ball for England, though sloppy fielding—including a no-ball for having too many outside the circle—kept Pakistan in the game .

What’s Next

England become the first team to secure their semi-final spot, returning to India for a last-four clash on either Wednesday or Thursday next week. Their opponents depend on remaining Super 8 results .

For Pakistan, it’s another case of what might have been. Usman Tariq, the mystery spinner, posed problems throughout but couldn’t quite push his team over the line .

Buttler’s form remains England’s biggest headache ahead of the knockouts. The captain has now gone 18 international innings without passing 40—worrying numbers for a player of his caliber . But with Brook firing like this, England will fancy their chances against anyone.