KANDY(National Times)- Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup were dealt a major blow after England chased down 165 to seal a last-four berth in their Super Eight – Group 2 encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The defeat leaves Pakistan relying on other results and net run rate permutations to keep their campaign alive, while England confirmed their place in the semi-finals with a five-ball victory. Defending 164-9, Pakistan struck immediately. Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Phil Salt and Jos Buttler early, both caught by Usman, to hand Pakistan early control. Shaheen’s fiery spell rattled England’s top order and briefly swung momentum Pakistan’s way. At that stage, the total looked competitive, and the bowlers were applying pressure in the powerplay. However, Harry Brook produced a match-defining innings, smashing 100 off 51 deliveries to anchor the chase. Despite losing partners at regular intervals, including Bethell, Banton and Sam Curran, Brook kept England in the hunt. Will Jacks added 28, but Pakistan continued to chip away through Tariq and Nawaz to keep the contest alive. Yet Brook’s composure in the middle overs ensured the required rate never spiralled out of control.

Semi-Final blow

England eventually reached 166-8 in 19.1 overs, with Dawson and Archer guiding them over the line. The win confirmed England’s qualification for the semi-finals from Group 2. For Pakistan, the result significantly narrows the path forward. With only slim mathematical possibilities remaining, their progression now hinges on favourable outcomes elsewhere and a strong net run rate swing. Earlier, Pakistan’s 164-9 had been built around Farhan’s 63, with contributions from Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan. But on a night where a place in the last four was at stake, Brook’s century proved decisive, leaving Pakistan’s campaign hanging in the balance. England entered the contest with momentum after opening their Super Eights campaign with victory over Sri Lanka. Pakistan, meanwhile, had their previous match against New Zealand abandoned due to rain.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Usman Tariq.

England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (capt), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.