What a knock! Harry Brook has come of age in this T20 World Cup and has shown why he is rated so highly by many in the cricketing world. He has single-handedly taken England to the semi-finals of the World Cup with a century to remember.
Pakistan Post 165 After Archer’s Early Strikes
Pakistan opted to bat first and were rocked early by Jofra Archer as he dismissed Saim Ayub cheaply. Ayub had a torrid tournament with the bat and fell for 7. Salman Agha did not last long as he just scored 5 before he was dismissed. Sahibzada Farhan and Babar Azam tried to resurrect the innings with a partnership of 46 but it came at a slow pace. Azam was dismissed for a 24-ball 25 and then came the partnership which gave Pakistan some impetus. Fakhar Zaman and Farhan took the attack to the bowlers and stitched a partnership of 49 in quick time. Things changed again after Farhan was dismissed and Pakistan collapsed yet again. Shadab Khan’s cameo of 23 took them to 165 in their 20 overs. Liam Dawson took three wickets while Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton picked up two wickets each.
England Collapse Early in Run Chase
In reply, England got off to a horror start as they lost Phil Salt off the first ball of the run chase. Shaheen Afridi struck twice again as he dismissed an out of form Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell in no time to leave England reeling at 35 for 3.
Harry Brook’s Match-Winning Century
Harry Brook, the skipper, promoted himself to no.3 for this game and it proved to be a masterstroke. He played a few innings and looked the most comfortable batter on the crease. He was first supported by Sam Curran who scored 16 and then by Will Jacks. Brook’s partnership with Jacks was the highlight as they showed maturity and took less risks by taking doubles and playing out the spinners. Brook reached his maiden century in T20Is but was dismissed soon after by Afridi who finished with a four-fer. It should have been an easy win for England as when Brook fell, they needed only 10 more to win but they created Harakiri as they lost Will Jacks and Jamie Overton as well. With 3 needed off the final over, Archer hit a boundary off the first ball off the final over to take England home and into the semis.
