Archer, Brooks star as England seal semi-final spot

Barbadian Jofra Archer snared two wickets as England booked their spot in the last four of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a two-wicket victory over Pakistan here on Tuesday.

Archer claimed the scalps of opener Saim Ayub and tailender Shaheen Afridi as England restricted Pakistan to 164 for nine in their 20 overs at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Opener Sahibzada Farhan topscored with 63 off 45 balls, inclusive of seven fours and two sixes, and Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman both made 25.

Liam Dawson was England’s best bowler with 3-24, while Jamie Overton (2-26) and Archer (2-32) provided support.

England skipper Harry Brooks then hit an impressive 100 from 51 balls to propel England to 166 for eight with five balls to spare.

Brooks smashed ten fours and four sixes and shared two crucial partnerships with Sam Curran and Will Jacks after England found themselves in trouble at 58 for four.

Together with Curran they added 45 runs, and when the latter was dismissed for 16, he and Jacks added a further 52 runs to carry England within sight of victory at 155 for five at the end of 17 overs.

Afridi claimed 4-30 from his four overs while Mohammad Nawaz (2-26) and Usman Tariq (2-31) took two wickets apiece for Pakistan.

The win was England’s second in the Super Eights and secured a spot in the semifinals with one match remaining against New Zealand.

(CMC)