England defeated Pakistan by two wickets in a tense Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Pallekele.
Chasing 165, England reached the target in 19.1 overs, driven by a match-defining century from captain Harry Brook. His innings anchored the chase despite early setbacks and mounting scoreboard pressure.
Pakistan Post Competitive Total
Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan managed 164/9 in their 20 overs. Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with a half-century, while the middle order struggled to capitalize fully in the final overs.
England’s bowlers, particularly Liam Dawson, applied pressure in key phases to restrict Pakistan from crossing the 170-mark.
Shaheen’s Fightback Falls Short
Pakistan’s bowling attack made early inroads, with Shaheen Shah Afridi delivering a strong spell that kept the contest alive deep into the innings.
However, England’s lower order held firm to complete the chase, sealing a semifinal berth in the process.
Impact on Tournament Standings
The defeat significantly dents Pakistan’s hopes of progressing further in the tournament, leaving qualification dependent on other results and net run rate scenarios.
England, meanwhile, strengthened their position as one of the tournament’s leading contenders.