Harry Brook carried England into the T20 World Cup semi-finals, delivering a captain’s innings of the highest order in a nervy two-wicket win over Pakistan in Pallekele.
Batting at number three for the first time in T20 internationals, Brook’s swashbuckling 100 off 51 balls with four sixes and 10 fours helped England negotiate a pursuit of 165 on a spinning pitch.
The 27-year-old was dismissed the delivery after reaching a 50-ball hundred with nine runs still needed and despite then losing Will Jacks and Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer saw England home with five balls to spare.
Magnificent from the skipper! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Woe1skt2Yq
While Jos Buttler’s struggles continued as England slipped to 58 for four, Brook was masterful and his highest T20 international score secured a second victory in the Super 8s, guaranteeing their spot in the knockout stages with a match to spare.
Liam Dawson had earlier taken three for 24, with Archer and Overton claiming a couple of wickets each, to restrict Pakistan to 164 for nine, with Sahibzada Farhan making 63, before Shaheen Shah Afridi gave England a fright with three powerplay wickets.
Read MoreHarry Brook masterclass leads England into T20 World Cup semi-finals
Jones blames England’s Six Nations collapse on Borthwick’s pre-tournament comments
England drawn to face Scotland and Ireland at home Women’s T20 World Cup