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.
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 balls 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.
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 Eight 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 Two game against Sri Lanka at this venue on Saturday. (BBC)
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