International

ICC T20 World Cup: Century-winning English captain Harry Brook created history, England in semi-finals with thrilling victory over Pakistan.

By Samira Vishwas

Pallekele, 24 February. If English captain Harry Brook created history by hitting the first century of his career (100 runs, 51 balls, four sixes, 10 fours) in the T20 International here on Tuesday night, then his team confirmed its place in the semi-finals by defeating Pakistan by two wickets with five balls to spare in a thrilling match of the Super Eight stage of the ICC T20 World Cup.

Farhan’s fifty made Pakistan its biggest score against England

Coming to bat first at the Pallekele International Stadium, Pakistan scored 164 runs for nine wickets with the brilliant half-century innings (63 runs, 45 balls, two sixes, seven fours) of Sahibzada Farhan, who was in excellent rhythm, which was its highest score till date against England in the T20 World Cup.

Brook becomes the first captain to score a century in T20 World Cup

After a poor start of 4-58 in the reply, ‘Player of the Match’ Brook played a captaincy innings and became the first captain to score a century in the history of the T20 World Cup. His team won by scoring 166 runs for eight wickets in 19.1 overs.

England in semi-finals for the fifth consecutive time

It is noteworthy that England had defeated Sri Lanka in their first match in Group Two of the Super 8 stage. He now has four points from two matches and has made it to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup for the fifth consecutive time. Whereas Pakistan has been able to collect only one point from two matches, whose first match with New Zealand was washed out due to rain. This means that Pakistan’s path to the semi-finals has now become difficult.

Afridi and company had returned 4 England batsmen for 58 runs.

If we look at England’s innings, Shaheen Shah Afridi (4-30) spoiled its start, when both the openers – Phil Salt (0) and Jos Buttler (two runs) and Jacob Bethel (eight runs) fell victim to this superfast pacer within 35 runs in the fifth over. In the eighth over, Usman Tariq (2-31) also dismissed Tom Banton (two runs) at the score of 58.

Brook provided relief to the British with important partnerships with Sam Curran and Will Jacques.

For the time being, Brook took the responsibility alone. He not only scored a stormy century in 51 balls but also provided relief to the team by making a partnership of 45 runs in 28 balls with Sam Curran (16 runs, 15 balls, one four) for the fifth wicket and 52 runs in 31 balls for the sixth wicket with Will Jacques (28 runs, 23 balls, two sixes, one four).

score card

England were 11 runs away from the target when Brook became Afridi’s fourth victim at a total of 155 in the 17th over. On the other hand, Mohammad Nawaz (2-26) took two wickets in the next over and increased the heartbeat of the British (8-161). But Joffra Archer (five runs not out, two balls, one four) hit the winning four on the very first ball of Salman Mirza in the last over.

Dawson, Overton and Archer spoiled Pakistan’s equation

Earlier, Farhan may have hit an attractive fifty, but England’s spinners kept the correct line-length for most of the Pakistani innings. Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson (3-24) was England’s most successful bowler. Whereas Jamie Overton and Joffra Archer took two wickets each.

Farhan made useful partnerships with Babar and Fakhar

After the return of two batsmen including captain Salman Aga (five runs) within 27 runs in the fourth over, Farhan took charge of the situation with two important partnerships of 46 runs with Babar Azam (25 runs, 24 balls, two fours) and then 49 runs with Fakhar Zaman (25 runs, 16 balls, two sixes, two fours). But after him, only Shadab Khan (23 runs, 11 balls, four fours) could see double figures. Pakistan’s last four batsmen returned with a lead of 18 runs.

wednesday match : : Sri Lanka vs New Zealand (Group 2, Colombo, 7 pm).

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