Harry Brook's Century Powers England into T20 World Cup Semis
England captain Harry Brook smashed his first T20 international century off just 50 balls to secure a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan and send his team into the World Cup semifinals. The 26-year-old's decision to move himself up the batting order paid off spectacularly in Pallekele.
When England captain Harry Brook promoted himself to bat at number three against Pakistan, he turned a risky gamble into a match-winning masterpiece that booked his team's spot in the T20 World Cup semifinals.
Brook demolished the Pakistan bowling attack with an unbeaten 100 runs off just 51 balls, hitting 10 fours and four sixes as England chased down 165 runs with five balls to spare. The victory marks England's fifth consecutive T20 World Cup semifinal appearance and keeps their dreams of a third title alive.
The Yorkshire batsman made the bold call to shake up England's lineup before the match, telling coach Brendon McCullum he wanted to maximize the powerplay overs. "I've been thinking about batting higher for a while," Brook explained after the game, adding that he wanted to "take the game on from ball one."
His instincts proved golden. While England's Jos Buttler continued his batting struggles with just two runs, Brook carried the team on his shoulders with what former England player Moeen Ali called an "unreal" performance.
Why This Inspires
Brook's century shows the power of backing yourself when it matters most. Rather than sticking with what felt safe, he took ownership of his role as captain and put himself in the pressure position.
His teammates and experts noticed more than just the runs. Ali praised Brook's "ridiculous" skill level and noted his energy between wickets showed a "man possessed" with focus and determination.
The move to number three might become permanent, with observers suggesting Brook could regularly score 120s or 130s from that position. England's ability to win even while Buttler struggles demonstrates the team's growing depth and confidence heading into the knockout stages.
England faces New Zealand on Friday before turning full attention to the semifinals. After winning World Cup titles in 2010 and 2022, a third championship suddenly looks within reach, especially if Brook continues playing with this kind of fearless brilliance.
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Based on reporting by Sky Sports
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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