Harry Brook’s sensational century under pressure led England into the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a two-wicket victory over Pakistan in Pallekele.
The England captain promoted himself to number three after Phil Salt was dismissed first ball and made exactly 100 in a chase of 165.
It was the first time Brook had batted first drop in his T20 international career but he played the situation perfectly, going up and down the gears as wickets fell around him.
Brook’s Batting Masterclass
Jos Buttler failed again – out for three in the third over – while Jacob Bethell fell for eight and Tom Banton two as England slipped to 58-4.
But Brook hit 10 fours and four sixes – once again delivering on his undeniable talents.
He was bowled by Shaheen Afridi a ball after reaching his hundred – the first of his T20 international career – in 50 deliveries but by then only 10 runs were needed from the last three overs.
Brook’s team-mates still threatened to throw all of his good work away as the wickets of Will Jacks and Jamie Overton followed, leaving it to Jofra Archer to swing away the winning runs with five balls to spare.
England Secure Semi-Final Spot
It means Brook’s side return to India for a semi-final on either Wednesday or Thursday next week, with their opponents and the venue still to be confirmed by the remainder of the Super 8 stage.
They are there without ever really convincing – here they were sloppy in the field when restricting Pakistan to 164-9 – but are the first team to secure their spot in the last four.
Pakistan must hope other results go their way and win the final Group 2 game against co-hosts Sri Lanka at this venue on Saturday.
Brook Showed Leadership Qualities
‘Clocked’ by a bouncer in Wellington, as culpable as anyone in the dismal Ashes defeat in Australia, pictured drinking in Noosa and found to have lied when apologising in Sydney.
Brook has had quite the winter.
This, though, was everything good about England’s white-ball captain. He batted at his destructive best.
Surprise greeted the sight of Brook walking down the steps rather than Bethell after Salt nicked off to Shaheen but it was smart thinking.
It kept the right-hander away from Pakistan’s five spinners on a turning pitch at the start of his innings and allowed him to take advantage of the powerplay fielding restrictions.
Brook faced three dots in his first five balls but then took left-armer Salman Mirza for a four and a six in the second over.
He muscled a brutal straight six over long-on while hitting spinner Mohammad Nawaz for 17 in the sixth, before nudging singles after Banton nicked off to Usman Tariq. The mystery spinner was Pakistan’s major threat.
At halfway, Brook kicked on again, crashing leg-spinner Shadab Khan for a perfect straight six. He scored all around the ground but those straight h