Harry Brook smashed a stunning 50-ball century to steer England to a two-wicket victory over Pakistan and become the first team to qualify for the T20 World Cup semi-finals. Promoted to number three for the first time, Brook came in after just one ball of the innings and watched his top-order colleagues falter before transforming the chase into a near-certainty.
Brook fell to the last ball of the 17th over, having completed his hundred from exactly 50 deliveries. His departure left England needing 10 runs from 18 balls, and though Will Jacks and Jamie Overton both fell in the penultimate over to give Pakistan a glimmer of hope, England reached the target with five balls to spare.
Pakistan's total of 164 for nine was underpinned by Sahibzada Farhan's fine innings, but England's bowling, led by Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton, kept them in check. Archer took an early wicket, while Overton triggered a collapse with a pinpoint yorker that removed Farhan for a brisk knock.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, recalled after being dropped, ripped through England's top order in the powerplay. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler both edged behind for single-figure scores, continuing Buttler's poor tournament form with an average of 10.33. Brook defended his captain, saying people should cut him some slack.
Brook's innings featured 14 boundaries, including a stunning back-foot straight drive for six off Mohammad Nawaz. His aggressive approach was a stark contrast to England's earlier tentative batting, and he provided a masterclass in leadership by example.
