4 min learnFeb 25, 2026 12:28 AM IST
Admitting it obtained “a bit nervy” in the direction of the top, England skipper Harry Brook stated he hoped it might not flip into “one other Oval” second as his aspect edged previous Pakistan to seal a semifinal berth within the T20 World Cup right here on Tuesday.
Brook led from the entrance with a elegant 51-ball 100, guiding England to a slim two-wicket win of their Tremendous 8 conflict and making them the primary staff to verify a spot within the semifinals.
“A bit nervy on the finish. I used to be about to say to Baz (Brendon McCullum) ‘hopefully this isn’t one other Oval (vs India)’,” Brooks stated close to his hundred that went in useless when England have been denied a report chase by India within the fifth Check on the Kia Oval final 12 months, dropping by six runs on the ultimate day because the sequence ended 2-2.
“We’ve come right here to try this job and we obtained it carried out. Very proud of the best way we performed there, and it’s simply good to get by to the semi-finals now and we’ve obtained another sport towards New Zealand and we’ll give attention to that, however then the larger prize will probably be on the opposite aspect,” Brook stated.
On Tuesday, the competition tightened after Brook’s dismissal as England misplaced Will Jacks and Jamie Overton within the nineteenth over earlier than Jofra Archer struck a boundary to finish the chase of 165 in 19.1 overs.
“Pakistan are good. They’re at all times good. They’re a few of the world-class gamers in there. They’ve been for a few years. And yeah, like I stated, it’s simply good to recover from the road.” Brook, promoted to No. 3 for the primary time within the event, struck 10 fours and 4 sixes in a commanding innings.
On the transfer up the order, he stated: “It was all Baz (Brendon McCullum). He got here to me this morning and stated, ‘what do you consider No. 3? Pakistan is your staff’.
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“We’ve spoken about adapting and altering all types all through this competitors and simply having the bravery to try this at present was superior.
“We wished to attempt to maximise the powerplay a little bit extra. They know I prefer to take the sport on. Fortunately it got here off and we obtained a good begin.” Brook, adjudged Participant of the Match, stated England would proceed striving for enchancment as they chase a 3rd World Cup title.
“There’s clearly areas that we nonetheless need to enhance on and you may by no means fairly get perfection, however we’re at all times striving for it.
“So, like I stated, we’ll look in the direction of the New Zealand sport now and our thoughts is totally on that.” On scoring a World Cup hundred, he added: “I used to be simply completely satisfied to have the ability to hit the ball, to be trustworthy. We have been in a difficult state of affairs at first after which a few partnerships there was good and, like I stated, simply good to recover from the road.” Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha admitted his aspect fell brief with the bat and credited Brook for taking the sport away.
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“We began nicely with the bat however couldn’t end the best way we wished to. However some days it’s important to give credit score to different batters. I feel Harry batted brilliantly. Our rating was a bit brief. After which Brook took the sport away from us. We threw the whole lot at him,” he stated.
Salman admitted Brook has been their nemesis for a while.
“At any time when we play towards England and lose, it’s at all times him. need to say hats off to him and the best way he batted at present. Very difficult, the best way he batted. He can play throughout the bottom so it will probably get difficult. They batted rather well towards Tariq. They didn’t go arduous towards him nonetheless he obtained two wickets. The best way Nawaz bowled the nineteenth over, I believed perhaps, you by no means know.” Pakistan want to attend for different outcomes earlier than their final sport towards Sri Lanka.
“Even when there’s a 1% likelihood my staff will go for it,” Salman stated.